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, 2014
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 [   ]
No [X]
     
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, 2014
Class A Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
 
2,174,912
Class B Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
 
9,704,877




BEL FUSE INC.
       
INDEX
       
     
Page
Part I
   
       
 
       
     
   
       
     
   
       
     
   
       
     
   
       
   
       
   
   
       
   
   
       
 
       
Part II
   
       
 
       
 
       
   
 
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, 2013.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or for any other period.




BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
         
    
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
ASSETS
       
Current Assets:
       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
83,140
   
$
62,123
 
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,836
               
  and $941 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
   
103,701
     
63,849
 
Inventories
   
113,506
     
70,019
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
7,548
     
3,519
 
Refundable income taxes
   
6,303
     
1,650
 
Deferred income taxes
   
3,679
     
2,995
 
    Total Current Assets
   
317,877
     
204,155
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment - net
   
74,104
     
40,896
 
Deferred income taxes
   
4,688
     
1,680
 
Intangible assets - net
   
84,151
     
29,472
 
Goodwill
   
130,224
     
18,490
 
Other assets
   
32,443
     
13,448
 
    TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
643,487
   
$
308,141
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
63,929
   
$
29,518
 
Accrued expenses
   
44,551
     
22,442
 
Short-term borrowings under revolving credit line
   
-
     
12,000
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
12,094
     
-
 
Notes payable
   
163
     
739
 
Income taxes payable
   
2,861
     
1,496
 
Dividends payable
   
894
     
786
 
    Total Current Liabilities
   
124,492
     
66,981
 
                 
Long-term Liabilities:
               
Long-term debt, noncurrent
   
223,219
     
-
 
Liability for uncertain tax positions
   
38,412
     
1,218
 
Minimum pension obligation and unfunded pension liability
   
11,649
     
10,830
 
Deferred income taxes
   
15,887
     
-
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
535
     
410
 
    Total Long-term Liabilities
   
289,702
     
12,458
 
    Total Liabilities
   
414,194
     
79,439
 
                 
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; 9,704,877 and 9,335,677 shares outstanding, respectively
               
     (net of 3,218,307 treasury shares)
   
971
     
933
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
20,833
     
18,914
 
Retained earnings
   
212,691
     
207,993
 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(5,419
)
   
645
 
    Total Stockholders' Equity
   
229,293
     
228,702
 
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
643,487
   
$
308,141
 
                 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 





BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
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,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
                 
Net Sales
 
$
156,341
   
$
101,164
   
$
338,426
   
$
258,173
 
                                 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales
   
128,250
     
81,132
     
278,319
     
213,781
 
Selling, general and administrative
   
23,110
     
12,300
     
47,475
     
35,041
 
Restructuring charges
   
309
     
-
     
1,365
     
1,387
 
     
151,669
     
93,432
     
327,159
     
250,209
 
                                 
Income from operations
   
4,672
     
7,732
     
11,267
     
7,964
 
                                 
Gain on sale of investment
   
-
     
98
     
-
     
98
 
Interest expense
   
(1,869
)
   
(67
)
   
(2,124
)
   
(75
)
Interest income and other, net
   
21
     
81
     
121
     
188
 
                                 
Earnings before provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
2,824
     
7,844
     
9,264
     
8,175
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
1,317
     
464
     
2,189
     
(336
)
                                 
Net earnings
 
$
1,507
   
$
7,380
   
$
7,075
   
$
8,511
 
                                 
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Class A common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.12
   
$
0.62
   
$
0.57
   
$
0.70
 
Class B common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.13
   
$
0.65
   
$
0.62
   
$
0.76
 
                                 
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
   
9,590,586
     
9,228,731
     
9,420,111
     
9,221,032
 
                                 
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.
 



BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
                 
Net earnings
 
$
1,507
   
$
7,380
   
$
7,075
   
$
8,511
 
                                 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
                               
Currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($181), $212, ($57) and ($4), respectively
   
(6,791
)
   
1,801
     
(6,254
)
   
619
 
Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of marketable securities included in
                               
     net earnings, net of tax of $0, ($37), $0 and ($37)
   
-
     
(61
)
   
-
     
(61
)
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on marketable securities arising during the period,
                               
net of taxes of ($7), $28, $58 and $17, respectively
   
(12
)
   
46
     
95
     
27
 
Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of $14, $24, $42 and $20, respectively
   
32
     
53
     
95
     
46
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(6,771
)
   
1,839
     
(6,064
)
   
631
 
                                 
Comprehensive (loss) income
 
$
(5,264
)
 
$
9,219
   
$
1,011
   
$
9,142
 
                                 
                                 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 


BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
    
Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
       
Net earnings
 
$
7,075
   
$
8,511
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
               
 cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
12,677
     
8,676
 
Stock-based compensation
   
1,926
     
1,376
 
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
   
19
     
-
 
Realized gain on sale of investment
   
-
     
(98
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
348
     
-
 
Other, net
   
(1,520
)
   
356
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(10
)
   
(519
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (see page 6)
   
(1,580
)
   
(12,241
)
      Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
   
18,935
     
6,061
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Increase in cash equivalents within Rabbi Trust
   
(1,536
)
   
-
 
Purchase of company-owned life insurance (COLI)
   
(2,820
)
   
(2,820
)
Purchase of SERP investments
   
(1,400
)
   
-
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
   
(5,234
)
   
(5,127
)
Purchase of intangible asset
   
-
     
(1,336
)
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (see page 6)
   
(206,536
)
   
(30,931
)
Proceeds from surrender of COLI
   
5,756
     
-
 
Proceeds from sale of SERP investments
   
-
     
2,820
 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
21
     
-
 
       Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
   
(211,749
)
   
(37,394
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Dividends paid to common shareholders
   
(2,270
)
   
(2,264
)
Deferred financing costs
   
(5,774
)
   
-
 
Borrowings under revolving credit line
   
23,000
     
12,000
 
Repayments under revolving credit line
   
(12,000
)
       
(Decrease) increase in notes payable
   
(553
)
   
314
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
   
215,000
     
-
 
Repayments of long-term debt
   
(2,688
)
   
-
 
Purchase and retirement of Class B common stock
   
-
     
(3,356
)
       Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
   
214,715
     
6,694
 
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
(884
)
   
297
 
                 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
21,017
     
(24,342
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents - beginning of period
   
62,123
     
71,262
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents - end of period
 
$
83,140
   
$
46,920
 
                 
(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,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
         
Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of:
       
Increase in accounts receivable
 
$
(2,034
)
 
$
(13,015
)
Decrease (increase) in inventories
   
9,737
     
(6,746
)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
856
     
(1,483
)
Increase in other assets
   
(171
)
   
(95
)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
   
(2,030
)
   
6,920
 
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses
   
(7,291
)
   
2,640
 
Increase in other liabilities
   
63
     
274
 
Decrease in accrued restructuring costs
   
-
     
(122
)
Decrease in income taxes payable
   
(710
)
   
(614
)
    
$
(1,580
)
 
$
(12,241
)
                 
Supplementary information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
    Income taxes, net of refunds received
 
$
2,536
   
$
1,152
 
    Interest
   
1,633
     
75
 
                 
Details of acquisitions:
               
   Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
 
$
122,041
   
$
34,541
 
   Goodwill
   
111,952
     
4,812
 
       Fair value of net assets acquired
 
$
233,993
   
$
39,353
 
                 
   Fair value of net assets acquired
 
$
233,993
   
$
39,353
 
   Less:  Cash acquired in acquisition
   
(27,457
)
   
(8,388
)
   Deferred consideration
   
-
     
(34
)
      Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
$
206,536
   
$
30,931
 
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, 2014, 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, 2014 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, 2013 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, 2013.

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 ("Powerbox").  The acquisitions of GigaCom, Fibreco and Powerbox may hereafter be referred to collectively as either the "2012 Acquisitions" or the "2012 Acquired Companies".  Accordingly, as of the respective acquisition dates, all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their preliminary fair values.  The accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 have been restated to reflect immaterial measurement period adjustments related to the applicable 2012 Acquisitions.

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. The Company's condensed consolidated results of operations include the operating results of the 2013 Acquisitions since their respective acquisition dates.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 have been restated to reflect measurement period adjustments, as further described in Note 3, related to the  TRP acquisition.

On June 19, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Power-One Power Solutions business ("Power Solutions") of ABB Ltd.  On July 25, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the U.S. and U.K. Connectivity Solutions businesses from Emerson Electric Co. ("Emerson").  On August 29, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the Connectivity Solutions business in China from Emerson (collectively with the U.S. and U.K. portion of the transaction, "Connectivity Solutions").  The acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions may hereafter be referred to collectively as either the "2014 Acquisitions" or the "2014 Acquired Companies". Accordingly, as of the respective acquisition dates, all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their preliminary fair values. The Company's condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the operating results of the 2014 Acquisitions from their respective acquisition dates through September 30, 2014.

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, 2013.  There were no significant changes to these accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Recently Adopted Standards

In July 2013, the FASB issued revised guidance to address the diversity in practice related to the financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2014, on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

Standards Issued Not Yet Adopted

In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations, which also contains new disclosure requirements for both discontinued operations and other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Management believes that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the guidance requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity's contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities can choose to apply the guidance using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's financial statements, if any, including which transition method it will adopt.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance on stock compensation.  The amendment requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition.  A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards.  Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered.  The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2015.  Earlier adoption is permitted.  Management does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have any material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of financial statements when there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The amendment requires that an entity's management evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, additional disclosure is required to enable users of the financial statements to understand the conditions or events, management's evaluation of the significance of those conditions and management's plans that are intended to alleviate or management's plans that have alleviated substantial doubt. The amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. Management does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have any material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

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, 2014 or September 30, 2013 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,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
                 
Numerator:
               
Net earnings
 
$
1,507
   
$
7,380
   
$
7,075
   
$
8,511
 
Less Dividends declared:
                               
     Class A
   
131
     
131
     
391
     
391
 
     Class B
   
679
     
650
     
1,986
     
1,925
 
Undistributed earnings
 
$
697
   
$
6,599
   
$
4,698
   
$
6,195
 
                                 
Undistributed earnings allocation - basic and diluted:
                               
     Class A undistributed earnings
 
$
124
   
$
1,209
   
$
847
   
$
1,137
 
     Class B undistributed earnings
   
573
     
5,390
     
3,851
     
5,058
 
     Total undistributed earnings
 
$
697
   
$
6,599
   
$
4,698
   
$
6,195
 
                                 
Net earnings allocation - basic and diluted:
                               
     Class A net earnings
 
$
255
   
$
1,340
   
$
1,238
   
$
1,528
 
     Class B net earnings
   
1,252
     
6,040
     
5,837
   
$
6,983
 
     Net earnings
 
$
1,507
   
$
7,380
   
$
7,075
   
$
8,511
 
                                 
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
   
9,590,586
     
9,228,731
     
9,420,111
     
9,221,032
 
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
     Class A common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.12
   
$
0.62
   
$
0.57
   
$
0.70
 
     Class B common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.13
   
$
0.65
   
$
0.62
   
$
0.76
 


3.            ACQUISITIONS

2014 Acquisitions:

On June 19, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Power Solutions for $110.0 million, net of cash acquired.  Power Solutions is a leading provider of high-efficiency and high-density power conversion products for server, storage and networking equipment, industrial applications and power systems.  Power Solutions offers a premier line of standard, modified-standard and custom designed AC/DC, DC/DC and other specific power conversion products for a variety of technologies in data centers, telecommunications and industrial applications.  The acquisition of Power Solutions brings a complementary, industry-leading power product portfolio to Bel's existing line of power products, expands our current customer base in the areas of server, storage and networking equipment and adds industrial and additional transportation applications to the Company's product offering.

On July 25, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the U.S. and U.K. entities of the Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions business ("CS") from Emerson Electric Co. with a payment, net of cash acquired and including a working capital adjustment, of $90.7 million.  On August 29, 2014, an additional payment of $9 million was made in connection with the closing of the China portion of the transaction.  CS is a leading provider of high‑performance RF/Microwave and Harsh Environment Optical Connectors and Assemblies for military, aerospace, wireless communications, data communications, broadcast and industrial applications. CS is headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois, and has manufacturing facilities in North America, the U.K. and China.  CS will become part of Bel's Connectivity Solutions product group under the Cinch Connector business.  Management believes the acquisition of CS will enable the Company to further expand into the aerospace and military markets where long-term product reliability resulting from highly engineered solutions is critical. The addition of the CS Stratos brand with our Fibreco/Gigacom Interconnect products will also give the Company a solid position in the expanded beam fiber optic market place.  The CS group will also significantly expand the Company's existing copper‑based product offerings with the addition of RF/Microwave components and assemblies.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred $3.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively, of acquisition-related costs associated with the 2014 Acquisitions.  These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

While the initial accounting related to the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions is not complete as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the following table depicts the Company's current estimate of the respective acquisition date fair values of the consideration paid and identifiable net assets acquired (in thousands):
 
   
Power Solutions
     
Connectivity Solutions
     
2014 Acquisitions
 
       
Measurement
   
June 19,
             
Acquisition-Date
 
   
June 19,
   
Period
   
2014
     
July 25/August 29,
     
Fair Values
 
   
2014
   
Adjustments
   
(As adjusted)
       2014*
 
   
(As adjusted)
 
Cash
 
$
20,913
   
$
-
   
$
20,913
     
$
6,544
     
$
27,457
 
Accounts receivable
   
29,388
     
1
     
29,389
       
9,413
       
38,802
 
Inventories
   
33,156
     
3,273
     
36,429
 
(a)
   
17,601
 
(a)
   
54,030
 
Other current assets
   
5,387
     
1,688
     
7,075
       
2,634
       
9,709
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
28,176
     
-
     
28,176
 
(b)
   
10,440
 
(b)
   
38,616
 
Intangible assets
   
21,188
     
(9,153
)
   
12,035
 
(c)
   
46,505
 
(c)
   
58,540
 
Other assets
   
536
     
18,212
     
18,748
 
(d)
   
2,684
       
21,432
 
     Total identifiable assets
   
138,744
     
14,021
     
152,765
       
95,821
       
248,586
 
                                             
Accounts payable
   
(26,180
)
   
-
     
(26,180
)
     
(10,682
)
     
(36,862
)
Accrued expenses
   
(20,290
)
   
(4,505
)
   
(24,795
)
(d)
   
(4,934
)
     
(29,729
)
Other current liabilities
   
223
     
-
     
223
       
(57
)
     
166
 
Noncurrent liabilities
   
761
     
(39,686
)
   
(38,925
)
(d)
   
(21,195
)
     
(60,120
)
     Total liabilities assumed
   
(45,486
)
   
(44,191
)
   
(89,677
)
     
(36,868
)
     
(126,545
)
     Net identifiable assets acquired
   
93,258
     
(30,170
)
   
63,088
       
58,953
       
122,041
 
     Goodwill
   
37,534
     
30,170
     
67,704
 
(e)
   
44,248
 
(e)
   
111,952
 
     Net assets acquired
 
$
130,792
   
$
-
   
$
130,792
     
$
103,201
     
$
233,993
 
                                             
                                             
Cash paid
 
$
130,792
   
$
-
   
$
130,792
     
$
103,201
     
$
233,993
 
Assumption of liability
   
-
     
-
     
-
       
-
       
-
 
     Fair value of consideration
                                           
         transferred
   
130,792
     
-
     
130,792
       
103,201
       
233,993
 
     Deferred consideration
   
-
     
-
     
-
       
-
       
-
 
     Total consideration paid
 
$
130,792
   
$
-
   
$
130,792
     
$
103,201
     
$
233,993
 
                                             

* The Company acquired the U.S. and U.K. entities of Connectivity Solutions on July 25, 2014 and the China entity of Connectivity Solutions on August 29, 2014.  These values represent the estimated fair values as of the respective acquisition date.

(a)
The inventory amounts noted above for both Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions include preliminary adjustments to acquisition-date fair value.
(b)
The appraisals related to machinery and equipment acquired were still in progress as of this filing date; however, the amount noted above for Connectivity Solutions includes preliminary adjustments to acquisition-date fair value.  The amounts noted above for Power Solutions property, plant and equipment only include the carrying value of those assets on Power Solutions' balance sheet as of the acquisition date.
(c)
The Company has identified certain intangible assets related to the Power Solutions acquisition, including trademarks and trade names, developed technology and potential in-process research and development, license agreements, non-compete agreements, an investment in a 49%-owned joint venture and customer relationships, which are being valued by a third-party appraiser.  These appraisals were not complete as of the date of this filing.  The Company has also identified certain intangible assets related to the Connectivity Solutions acquisition, including trademarks, developed technology and customer relationships, which are being valued by a third-party appraiser.  While these appraisals were still in progress as of the date of this filing, preliminary estimated adjustments to fair value have been reflected in the table above.
(d)
The Company recorded measurement period adjustments related to estimated uncertain tax provisions and other tax liabilities, including an indemnification asset related to certain liabilities.  While these estimates were still in progress as of the date of this filing, preliminary estimated adjustments to these liabilities have been reflected in the table above.
(e)
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, various intangible assets and certain liabilities such as lease liabilities 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.
 
The preliminary fair value of identifiable intangible assets related to the 2014 Acquired Companies is shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).  For those intangible assets with finite lives, the acquisition-date fair values will be amortized over their respective estimated future lives utilizing the straight-line method.


Weighted-Average Life
 
Acquisition-Date Fair Value
 
Trademarks
Indefinite
 
$
7,115
 
Technology
20 years
   
20,818
 
Customer relationships
15 years
   
30,607
 
    Total identifiable intangible assets acquired
   
$
58,540
 


The results of operations of the 2014 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, 2014, the 2014 Acquired Companies contributed revenue of $63.1 million and $70.3 million, respectively, and net loss of approximately $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to the Company's consolidated financial results.

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of the combined results of operations of the Company and the aggregate results of TRP, Array, Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions for the periods presented as if the 2013 Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2012 and the 2014 Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2013, along with certain pro forma adjustments.  These pro forma adjustments give effect to the amortization of certain definite-lived intangible assets, adjusted depreciation based upon estimated fair value of assets acquired, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs related to the financing of the business combinations, and related tax effects.  The 2014 unaudited pro forma net earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were adjusted to exclude $3.9 million and $5.4 million ($2.4 million and $3.3 million after tax), respectively, of non-recurring expenses which were incurred in connection with the 2013 and 2014 Acquisitions.  The 2013 unaudited pro forma net earnings were adjusted to include these charges in addition to an estimated non-recurring expense related to a fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventory of $4.6 million ($4.4 million after tax) during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.  The 2013 results reflected below include merger-related charges incurred by Power Solutions in connection with its acquisition by ABB in July 2013. The pro forma results do not reflect the realization of any potential cost savings, or any related integration costs. Certain cost savings may result from these acquisitions; however, there can be no assurance that these cost savings will be achieved. The unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the acquisitions had occurred on the assumed dates, nor is the pro forma data intended to be a projection of results that may be obtained in the future (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
                 
Revenue
 
$
163,040
   
$
185,091
   
$
480,482
   
$
533,605
 
Net earnings
   
8,417
     
(28,213
)
   
6,388
     
(39,714
)
Earnings per Class A common share - basic and diluted
   
0.68
     
(2.38
)
   
0.51
     
(3.36
)
Earnings per Class B common share - basic and diluted
   
0.72
     
(2.50
)
   
0.56
     
(3.51
)

2013 Acquisitions:

On March 29, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of TRP for $21.0 million, net of cash acquired. The Company's purchase of TRP 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.  Array has become part of Bel's Cinch Connector business.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of acquisition-related costs associated with the 2012 and 2013 Acquisitions.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred acquisition costs of $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to the 2012 and 2013 Acquisitions.  These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.



The purchase price allocations for TRP and Array were finalized during the first quarter of 2014.  The following table depicts the finalized respective acquisition date fair values of the consideration paid and identifiable net assets acquired (in thousands):


   
TRP
   
Array
   
2013 Acquisitions
 
       
Measurement
   
March 29,
       
Measurement
   
August 20,
   
Acquisition-Date
 
   
March 29,
   
Period
   
2013
   
August 20,
   
Period
   
2013
   
Fair Values
 
   
2013
   
Adjustments
   
(As finalized)
   
2013
   
Adjustments
   
(As finalized)
   
(As finalized)
 
Cash
 
$
8,388
   
$
-
   
$
8,388
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,388
 
Accounts receivable
   
11,580
     
(39
)
   
11,541
     
994
     
-
     
994
     
12,535
 
Inventories
   
6,258
     
1,097
     
7,355
     
2,588
     
(1,595
)
   
993
     
8,348
 
Other current assets
   
1,953
     
(334
)
   
1,619
     
83
     
345
     
428
     
2,047
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
4,693
     
1,097
     
5,790
     
2,285
     
1,225
     
3,510
     
9,300
 
Intangible assets
   
-
     
6,110
     
6,110
     
-
     
1,470
     
1,470
     
7,580
 
Other assets
   
1,151
     
198
     
1,349
     
84
     
1,663
     
1,747
     
3,096
 
     Total identifiable assets
   
34,023
     
8,129
     
42,152
     
6,034
     
3,108
     
9,142
     
51,294
 
                                                         
Accounts payable
   
(8,565
)
   
331
     
(8,234
)
   
(677
)
   
1
     
(676
)
   
(8,910
)
Accrued expenses
   
(4,003
)
   
(462
)
   
(4,465
)
   
(206
)
   
(79
)
   
(285
)
   
(4,750
)
Other current liabilities
   
(25
)
   
(734
)
   
(759
)
   
(214
)
   
214
     
-
     
(759
)
Noncurrent liabilities
   
-
     
(586
)
   
(586
)
   
(643
)
   
(1,105
)
   
(1,748
)
   
(2,334
)
     Total liabilities assumed
   
(12,593
)
   
(1,451
)
   
(14,044
)
   
(1,740
)
   
(969
)
   
(2,709
)
   
(16,753
)
     Net identifiable assets acquired
   
21,430
     
6,678
     
28,108
     
4,294
     
2,139
     
6,433
     
34,541
 
     Goodwill
   
8,278
     
(7,038
)
   
1,240
     
5,666
     
(2,094
)
   
3,572
     
4,812
 
     Net assets acquired
 
$
29,708
   
$
(360
)
 
$
29,348
   
$
9,960
   
$
45
   
$
10,005
   
$
39,353
 
                                                         
                                                         
Cash paid
 
$
22,400
   
$
6,948
   
$
29,348
   
$
9,960
   
$
45
   
$
10,005
   
$
39,353
 
Assumption of severance payment
   
109
     
(109
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
     Fair value of consideration
                                                       
         transferred
   
22,509
     
6,839
     
29,348
     
9,960
     
45
     
10,005
     
39,353
 
     Deferred consideration
   
7,199
     
(7,199
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
     Total consideration paid
 
$
29,708
   
$
(360
)
 
$
29,348
   
$
9,960
   
$
45
   
$
10,005
   
$
39,353
 

The measurement period adjustments noted above primarily relate to adjustments to fair value based on the appraisals on inventory, property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets.  In addition, various other asset and liability accounts had measurement period adjustments related to deferred taxes.

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, 2014, the 2013 Acquired Companies contributed revenue of $20.7 million and $58.3 million, respectively, and net earnings of $4.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively, to the Company's consolidated financial results.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the 2013 Acquired Companies contributed revenue of $26.4 million and $48.6 million, respectively, and net earnings of $4.2 million and $7.4 million, respectively, to the Company's consolidated financial results.


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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  The gross unrealized gains associated with the investment securities held in the Rabbi Trust were $0.6 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Such unrealized gains are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income.

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had other marketable securities with a combined fair value of less than $0.1 million at each date, and gross unrealized gains of less than $0.1 million at each date.  Such unrealized gains are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income.  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, 2014.  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, 2014.

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, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (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, 2014
               
Available-for-sale securities:
               
   Investments held in Rabbi Trust
 
$
4,867
   
$
4,867
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
   Marketable securities
   
4
     
4
     
-
     
-
 
                                 
   Total
 
$
4,871
   
$
4,871
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
                                 
As of December 31, 2013
                               
Available-for-sale securities:
                               
   Investments held in Rabbi Trust
 
$
3,313
   
$
3,313
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
   Marketable securities
   
3
     
3
     
-
     
-
 
                                 
   Total
 
$
3,316
   
$
3,316
   
$
-
   
$
-
 


The Company has other financial instruments, such as cash equivalents, cash equivalents held within the Rabbi Trust, accounts receivable, notes 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 fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on interest rates that are currently available for debt issuances with similar terms and maturities.  At September 30, 2014, the estimated fair value of long-term debt was $234.3 million compared to a carrying amount of $235.3 million.  The Company did not have any other financial liabilities within the scope of the fair value disclosure requirements as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

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, 2014 or 2013 that would warrant interim impairment testing.

5.            INVENTORIES

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


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Raw materials
 
$
55,302
   
$
29,428
 
Work in progress
   
16,964
     
8,783
 
Finished goods
   
41,240
     
31,808
 
   
$
113,506
   
$
70,019
 


At September 30, 2014, $46.2 million of inventory related to the 2014 Acquired Companies.

6.
 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Land
 
$
3,302
   
$
3,229
 
Buildings and improvements
   
31,259
     
25,216
 
Machinery and equipment
   
118,161
     
82,420
 
Construction in progress
   
5,263
     
4,042
 
     
157,985
     
114,907
 
Accumulated depreciation
   
(83,881
)
   
(74,011
)
   
$
74,104
   
$
40,896
 


At September 30, 2014, $36.5 million of property, plant and equipment related to the 2014 Acquired Companies.

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,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Total segment sales:
               
North America
 
$
91,556
   
$
34,273
   
$
162,415
   
$
95,796
 
Asia
   
87,714
     
69,602
     
199,574
     
166,362
 
Europe
   
44,778
     
9,313
     
72,220
     
30,029
 
Total segment sales
   
224,048
     
113,188
     
434,209
     
292,187
 
Reconciling item:
                               
Intersegment sales
   
(67,707
)
   
(12,024
)
   
(95,783
)
   
(34,014
)
Net sales
 
$
156,341
   
$
101,164
   
$
338,426
   
$
258,173
 
                                 
Income from operations:
                               
North America
 
$
(1,964
)
 
$
(239
)
 
$
(2,698
)
 
$
(3,734
)
Asia
   
3,306
     
7,915
     
9,694
     
11,026
 
Europe
   
3,330
     
56
     
4,271
     
672
 
   
$
4,672
   
$
7,732
   
$
11,267
   
$
7,964
 
                                 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
                 
     
2014
     
2013
                 
Total Assets:
                               
North America
 
$
205,463
   
$
117,261
                 
Asia
   
243,753
     
148,780
                 
Europe
   
81,642
     
42,100
                 
     
530,858
     
308,141
                 
Unallocated Goodwill
   
112,629
     
-
                 
   
$
643,487
   
$
308,141
                 


Recent Acquisitions – At September 30, 2014, Power Solutions' total assets of $206.7 million and Connectivity Solutions' total assets of $136.9 million are included in the table above.

The acquisitions of TRP in March 2013, Array in August 2013, Power Solutions in June 2014 and Connectivity Solutions in July and August 2014 contributed to Bel's segment sales, income from operations and total assets as follows:
 

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Sales to External Customers:
               
     North America:
               
Array
 
$
1,758
   
$
811
   
$
5,302
   
$
811
 
Power Solutions
   
36,517
     
-
     
41,554
     
-
 
Connectivity Solutions
   
11,941
     
-
     
11,941
     
-
 
     
50,216
     
811
     
58,797
     
811
 
     Asia:
                               
TRP
   
18,228
     
25,096
     
51,060
     
46,885
 
Power Solutions
   
1,600
     
-
     
1,958
     
-
 
Connectivity Solutions
   
749
     
-
     
749
     
-
 
     
20,577
     
25,096
     
53,767
     
46,885
 
     Europe:
                               
TRP
   
727
     
494
     
1,912
     
886
 
Power Solutions
   
10,963
     
-
     
12,802
     
-
 
Connectivity Solutions
   
1,295
     
-
     
1,295
     
-
 
     
12,985
     
494
     
16,009
     
886
 
Net sales from 2013-2014 acquisitions
   
83,778
     
26,401
     
128,573
     
48,582
 
                                 
Income from operations:
                               
     North America:
                               
Array
   
(61
)
   
(135
)
   
(744
)
   
(135
)
Power Solutions
   
1,072
     
-
     
(53
)
   
-
 
Connectivity Solutions
   
(1,299
)
   
-
     
(1,299
)
   
-
 
     
(288
)
   
(135
)
   
(2,096
)
   
(135
)
     Asia:
                               
TRP
   
4,200
     
4,527
     
9,311
     
8,115
 
Power Solutions
   
(3,201
)
   
-
     
(3,363
)
   
-
 
Connectivity Solutions
   
112
     
-
     
112
     
-
 
     
1,111
     
4,527
     
6,060
     
8,115
 
     Europe:
                               
TRP
   
115
     
92
     
343
     
196
 
Power Solutions
   
2,726
     
-
     
3,024
     
-
 
Connectivity Solutions
   
73
     
-
     
73
     
-
 
     
2,914
     
92
     
3,440
     
196
 
Total income from operations from
                               
2013-2014 acquisitions
 
$
3,737
   
$
4,484
   
$
7,404
   
$
8,176
 


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 and semi-finished components manufactured in any one of the geographic segments and transferred to any of the other geographic segments for sale or further processing. Income from operations represents net sales less operating costs and expenses.


8.   INCOME TAXES

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company has approximately $38.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of liabilities for uncertain tax positions ($0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, included in income taxes payable and $38.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, included in liability for uncertain tax positions) all of which, if recognized, would reduce the Company's effective tax rate.  In connection with the acquisition of Power Solutions, the Company recorded an estimated liability for uncertain tax positions of $35.9 million, including interest and penalties of $11.9 million.

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 2011 and for state examinations before 2008.   Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years before 2003 in Asia and generally 2007 in Europe.

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, 2014.  A total of $4.8 million of previously recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions relates principally to the 2011 tax year which expire during the three months ended September 30, 2015.  Additionally, a total of $0.8 million of previously recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions relating to the 2010 tax year were reversed during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.  This was offset in part by an increase to the liability for uncertain tax positions in the amount of $1.4 million which is included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  A total of $0.5 million of previously recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions relating to 2006 and 2009 tax years were reversed during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

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, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized $0.7 million and an immaterial amount, respectively, of interest and penalties in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The Company has $12.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, accrued for the payment of such interest and penalties at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, a portion of which is included in each of income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at each date.  In connection with the estimated liability for uncertain tax positions, the Company will accrue approximately $2.5 million of interest and penalties annually.

Upon completion of the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions, there were net deferred tax assets of $7.1 million and deferred tax liabilities of $19.1 million, respectively, arising from various temporary differences and net operating loss carry forward acquired, which are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014.  At September 30, 2014, the fair market value reports have not been completed and therefore the Company had no additional deferred tax amounts relating to the Power Solutions or Connectivity Solutions acquisitions. At September 30, 2014, a net deferred tax liability of $11.0 million remains on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the 2014 Acquisitions.

The Company intends to make elections to step up the tax basis of the Power Solutions acquisition to fair value under IRC Section 338(g).  The Company does not intend to make an election to step-up the tax basis of the Emerson acquisition to fair value under IRC Section 338(g).

Upon the acquisition of TRP, TRP had a deferred tax asset in the amount of $2.2 million arising from various timing differences related to depreciation and accrued expenses.  Upon the acquisition of Array, Array had a deferred tax liability of $0.7 million arising from timing differences related to depreciation and a deferred tax asset of $2.1 million arising from the NOL acquired.  In connection with the 2013 Acquisitions, the Company was required to complete 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 amount of $0.6 million and $1.0 million respectively for the TRP and Array acquisitions.  At September 30, 2014, a net deferred tax asset of $1.7 million remains on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company does not intend to make any election to step up the tax basis of the 2013 acquisitions to fair value under IRC Section 338(g).

On December 31, 2013, under the "American Taxpayer Relief Act" ("ATRA"), the Research and Experimentation credit ("R&E") expired.  The Company did not recognize any R&E credits during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  If the R&E credit is extended back to January 1, 2014, the Company will recognize the R&E credit at that time.  The annual R&E credit is approximately $0.3 million.  During the first quarter of 2013, the Company recognized a $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.

 
9.            ACCRUED EXPENSES

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



 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2014
   
2013
 
Sales commissions
 
$
2,922
   
$
1,431
 
Subcontracting labor
   
2,014
     
2,406
 
Salaries, bonuses and related benefits
   
23,592
     
13,674
 
Litigation reserve
   
-
     
723
 
Warranty accrual
   
3,623
     
-
 
Other
   
12,400
     
4,208
 
 
 
$
44,551
   
$
22,442
 

Warranty Accrual - Power Solutions generally offers its customers a standard two-year warranty on power products sold, although warranty periods may vary by product type and application. The Company reviews its warranty liability quarterly based on an analysis of actual expenses and failure rates by specific product lines and estimated future costs and projected failure rate trends by specific product lines. Factors taken into consideration when evaluating the Company's warranty reserve are (i) historical claims for each product, (ii) the maturity of the product within its life cycle, (iii) volume increases, (iv) life of warranty, (v) historical warranty repair costs and (vi) other factors. To the extent that actual experience differs from our estimate, the provision for product warranties will be adjusted in future periods. Actual warranty repair costs are charged against the reserve balance as incurred.

A tabular presentation of the activity within the warranty accrual account for the period from the acquisition date of Power Solutions through September 30, 2014 is presented below (in thousands):

 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2014
 
Beginning balance as of June 19, 2014
 
$
4,111
 
Charges and costs accrued
   
859
 
Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties (including changes in estimates)
   
(35
)
Less repair costs incurred
   
(1,377
)
Currency translation
   
(43
)
Ending balance as of September 30, 2014
 
$
3,515
 


10.
 DEBT

At December 31, 2013, the Company maintained a $30 million line of credit with Bank of America (the "Credit Agreement"), which was due to expire on October 14, 2016.  At December 31, 2013, the borrowings under the line of credit amounted to $12.0 million and the balance available under the Credit Agreement was $18.0 million.  The Credit Agreement bore interest at LIBOR plus 1.00% to 1.50% based on certain financial statement ratios maintained by the Company.  The interest rate in effect on the borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2013 was 1.4%.  The Company incurred interest expense of less than $0.1 million related to the borrowings under the Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  There was no interest expense related to the line of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as there were no borrowings outstanding during that period.  Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company was required to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with other financial conditions.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repaid the full $12.0 million balance outstanding and terminated the Credit Agreement.

On June 19, 2014, the Company entered into a senior Credit and Security Agreement with KeyBank National Association ("KeyBank"), as administrative agent and lender, which was amended on June 30, 2014 principally to add a syndicate of additional lenders (as so amended, the "New Secured Credit Agreement").  The maturity date of the New Secured Credit Agreement is June 18, 2019.
The New Secured Credit Agreement consists of (i) a $50 million revolving credit facility ("Revolver"), (ii) a $145 million term loan facility ("Term Loan") and (iii) a $70 million delayed draw term loan ("DDTL").  Under the terms of the New Secured Credit Agreement, the Company is entitled, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to request additional commitments under the revolving credit facility or term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million to the extent that existing or new lenders agree to provide such additional commitments and/or term loans.
 
The obligations of the Company under the New Secured Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company's material U.S. subsidiaries (together with the Company, the "Loan Parties") and are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the existing and future personal property of the Loan Parties, certain material real property of the Loan Parties and certain of the Loan Parties' material U.S. subsidiaries, including 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Loan Parties' direct foreign subsidiaries.
The borrowings under the New Secured Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, either (1) LIBOR, plus a margin ranging from 1.75% per annum to 3.00% per annum depending on the Company's leverage ratio, or (2)(a) an "Alternate Base Rate," which is the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) KeyBank's prime rate and (iii) the LIBOR rate with a maturity of one month plus 1.00%, plus (b) a margin ranging from 0.75% per annum to 2.00% per annum, depending on the Company's leverage ratio. The interest rate in effect at September 30, 2014 was 2.25%, which consists of LIBOR of 0.25% plus the Company's margin of 2.00%.
The New Secured Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default and financial covenants that measure (i) the ratio of the Company's total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis, to the amount of the Company's consolidated EBITDA, as defined, ("Leverage Ratio") and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company's consolidated EBITDA to the Company's consolidated fixed charges ("Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio"). If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the New Secured Credit Agreement would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.  At September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with its most restrictive covenant, the Leverage Ratio.  The unused credit available under the credit facility at September 30, 2014 was $27.0 million, of which we had the ability to borrow the full available balance without violating our Leverage Ratio covenant based on the Company's existing consolidated EBITDA.
Concurrent with its entry into the New Secured Credit Agreement on June 19, 2014, the Company borrowed $145.0 million under the Term Loan to complete its acquisition of Power Solutions.  In July 2014, in connection with the acquisition of Connectivity Solutions, the Company borrowed an additional $90.0 million under the New Secured Credit Agreement ($70.0 million through the DDTL and $20.0 million under the Revolver).  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $0.4 million and $5.8 million in deferred financing costs, respectively, which will be amortized over the five-year term, and incurred $1.9 million and $2.1 million of interest expense, respectively.  At September 30, 2014, borrowings outstanding related solely to the $145.0 million Term Loan, the $70.0 million DDTL and $23.0 million under the revolver.
Scheduled principal payments of the long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

2014
 
$
2,687
 
2015
   
13,438
 
2016
   
16,125
 
2017
   
18,812
 
2018
   
24,188
 
Thereafter
   
160,063
 
Total long-term debt
   
235,313
 
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt
   
(12,094
)
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt
 
$
223,219
 

11.            RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

The Company maintains the Bel Fuse Inc. Employees' Savings Plan (the "U.S. 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 U.S. 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, 2014 and 2013 amounted to approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Prior to January 1, 2012, the U.S. 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, 2014, the U.S. Plan owned 14,886 and 181,831 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.

The Company also has a retirement fund in Asia (the "Asia Plan") 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, 2014 and 2013 amounted to approximately $0.1 million in each period. The expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to approximately $0.2 million in each period.  As of September 30, 2014, the Asia Plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.

The Company maintains a SERP, which is designed to provide a limited group of key management and 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,
 
 
 
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Service cost
 
$
138
   
$
139
   
$
414
   
$
417
 
Interest cost
   
135
     
112
     
405
     
337
 
Amortization of adjustments
   
46
     
77
     
138
     
231
 
Total SERP expense
 
$
319
   
$
328
   
$
957
   
$
985
 


 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2014
   
2013
 
Balance sheet amounts:
 
   
 
   Minimum pension obligation
 
   
 
      and unfunded pension liability
 
$
11,649
   
$
10,830
 
 
               
   Amounts recognized in accumulated
               
      other comprehensive loss, pretax:
               
         Prior service cost
 
$
1,094
   
$
1,230
 
         Net loss
   
1,004
     
1,004
 
 
 
$
2,098
   
$
2,234
 

12.            ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

The components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized below (dollars in thousands):


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
         
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($20) and $77
       
  at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
$
(4,350
)
 
$
1,904
 
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale
               
  securities, net of taxes of $227 and $169 as of
               
  September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
   
377
     
282
 
Unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($652) and ($693) as
               
  of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
   
(1,446
)
   
(1,541
)
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
$
(5,419
)
 
$
645
 




Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 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, 2014
 
$
1,904
   
$
282
   
$
(1,541
)
   
$
645
 
     Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
(6,254
)
   
95
     
-
       
(6,159
)
     Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
                                 
          comprehensive income (loss)
   
-
     
-
     
95
 
 (a)
   
95
 
     Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(6,254
)
   
95
     
95
       
(6,064
)
                                   
Balance at September 30, 2014
 
$
(4,350
)
 
$
377
   
$
(1,446
)
   
$
(5,419
)
                                   
(a) This reclassification relates to the amortization of prior service costs associated with the Company's SERP.
           
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 under operating leases expiring through March 2023.  At December 31, 2013, the Company's total future minimum lease payments for operating leases amounted to $15.3 million.  The Company incurred additional lease commitments of approximately $7.3 million upon the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions.

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, 2013, the Company had outstanding purchase orders related to purchases of raw materials in the aggregate amount of $23.4 million and purchase orders related to capital expenditures of $3.0 million.  The Company incurred additional commitments upon the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions totaling approximately $19.3 million in raw material purchase orders and $0.5 million in capital expenditure commitments.

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, 2013 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 was 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 ("SynQor I case").  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 initially went to trial in December 2010.  A decision was ultimately rendered in November 2013 in favor of the plaintiff, and the Company released a payment to SynQor of $10.9 million.  The Company subsequently received a $2.1 million payment from one of its customers related to an indemnification agreement and reimbursement of certain legal fees.

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-verdict 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 II case").  SynQor, Inc. also seeks enhanced damages.  The Company has an indemnification agreement in place with one of its customers specifically covering post-verdict damages related to this case.  This case went to trial on July 30, 2013.  In April 2014, a final judgment was rendered in this case, whereby the Company was assessed an additional $0.7 million in post-verdict damages.  This amount was paid by the Company in July 2014 and was subsequently reimbursed by one of its customers under the terms of the indemnification agreement referenced above.  SynQor filed an appeal of the final judgment in May 2014, which is currently pending with the CAFC.

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.  The Court denied Molex's revised Motion to Dismiss on June 16, 2014.  In June 2014, Molex initiated an Inter Partes Review (IPR) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for one of the three patents associated with this case.  The Company and Molex executed an agreement in September 2014 to terminate the IPR and to withdraw one of the patents from the district court litigation.  The case continues to proceed in the district court and now involves two of the Company's patents related to integrated magnetic connector products.

In connection with the acquisition of Power Solutions, there is an ongoing claim by the Arezzo Revenue Agency in Italy concerning certain tax matters related to what was then Power-One Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd. (now Bel Power Solutions Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd, or "BPS China") for the years 2004 to 2006.  In September 2012, the Tax Court of Arezzo ruled in favor of BPS China and cancelled the claim.  In February 2013, the Arezzo Revenue Agency filed an appeal of the Tax Court's ruling. The hearing of the appeal was held on October 2, 2014.  On October 13, 2014, BPS China was informed of the Regional Tax Commission of Florence ruling which was in favor of the Arezzo Revenue Agency and against BPS China.  The estimated liability related to this matter is approximately $12.0 million and has been included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.  As Bel is fully indemnified in this matter per the terms of the stock purchase agreement with ABB, an offsetting indemnification asset is also reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014.








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, 2013. 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, 2013, 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 is primarily engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of products used in aerospace, data transmission, military, transportation, and consumer electronics. Bel's product groups include Magnetic Solutions (discrete components, power transformers and MagJack® connectors with integrated magnetics), Power Solutions and Protection (AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, custom designs, miniature, micro, surface mount and resettable fuses) and Connectivity Solutions (micro, circular, filtered D Sub, fiber optic, RF connectors, microwave components, passive jacks, plugs and cable assemblies).

Bel's business is operated through three geographic segments:  North America, Asia and Europe.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 44% of the Company's revenues were derived from Asia, 42% from North America and 14% from its Europe operating segment.  Sales of the Company's Magnetic Solutions products represented approximately 38% of its total net sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The remaining revenues related to sales of the Company's Connectivity Solutions products (32%) and Power Solutions and Protection products (30%).

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 the mix of higher- versus lower-margin product lines will 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 and Melbourne, Florida; Waseca, Minnesota; Mesa, Arizona; Haina, Dominican Republic; Reynosa and Cananea, Mexico; Louny, Czech Republic; Worksop, Great Dunmow and Chelmsford, England; and Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia.

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.


Trends Affecting our Business

The Company believes the key factors affecting Bel's results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and/or future results include the following:

·
Recent Acquisitions – The Company completed its acquisitions of TRP and Array during late March and mid-August 2013, respectively, its acquisition of Power Solutions in mid-June 2014, and its acquisition of Connectivity Solutions in late-July 2014 and late-August 2014. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, these acquisitions contributed a combined $83.8 million and $128.6 million of sales, respectively, and a combined $3.7 million and $7.4 million of income from operations, respectively.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, TRP and Array contributed combined sales of $26.4 million and $48.6 million, respectively, and combined income from operations of $4.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively.

·
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, 2014, the addition of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions had a favorable impact on the Company's profit margin percentage.

·
Pricing and Availability of Materials – Pricing and availability of components that constitute raw materials in our manufacturing processes have been stable for most of the Company's product lines, although lead times on electrical components are still extended.  Pricing of electrical components stabilized during the third quarter of 2014.  With regard to commodity pricing, the cost of certain commodities that are contained in components and other raw materials, such as gold and copper, were lower during the first nine months of 2014 as compared to the same period of 2013.  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 decreased from 14.3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 12.4% during the comparable period of 2014. The primary factor driving the reduction was the addition of the Power Solutions products, which have a lower labor content than most of Bel's other products.  Also, during early 2013, the Company incurred higher labor costs due to inefficiencies associated with the Cinch reorganization.  These additional costs did not recur in 2014. This decrease in labor costs as a percentage of sales was largely offset by rising labor costs in the PRC and the strengthening of the Chinese Renminbi.

·
Acquisition-Related Costs –The Company incurred $3.8 million and $5.4 million in acquisition-related costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.  These costs primarily related to the audits of the historical financial statements of the acquirees, as well as legal and consulting expenses associated with the 2014 Acquisitions.  The Company also recorded purchase accounting adjustments in the third quarter of 2014 related to inventory step-up adjustments.  These adjustments resulted in additional expense during the third quarter of 2014 of $4.6 million in cost of sales.  Various purchase accounting adjustments and professional fees associated with the valuations of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions and related to the completion of audits of the historical financial statements of the acquirees, are also expected in future quarters.

·
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, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is primarily attributed to the increase in US taxes despite a pretax loss in the North America segment from taxes related to uncertain tax positions, valuation allowances and sub part F related income.  This was offset in part by a true up of tax accruals.  In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized an additional $0.4 million in R&E credits related to the year ended December 31, 2012 which offset the increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 8 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Based on third quarter 2014 results of Bel and the recently acquired businesses, the Company is at a current run rate of approximately $650 million in annual sales.  The focus going forward continues to be on improving quality at the factory levels, working closely with our large customers and their engineering teams, and continued overhead cost containment internally.  Management has already implemented annual cost savings of over $5 million related to the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions and has identified additional opportunities to streamline the consolidated businesses in the future.   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, 2013.



Summary by Reportable Operating Segment

Net sales to external customers by reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
    North America
 
$
79,384
     
51
%
 
$
31,613
     
31
%
 
$
143,180
     
42
%
 
$
87,058
     
34
%
    Asia
   
54,656
     
35
%
   
60,751
     
60
%
   
148,927
     
44
%
   
142,323
     
55
%
    Europe
   
22,301
     
14
%
   
8,800
     
9
%
   
46,319
     
14
%
   
28,792
     
11
%
   
$
156,341
     
100
%
 
$
101,164
     
100
%
 
$
338,426
     
100
%
 
$
258,173
     
100
%



Net sales and income from operations by reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Total segment sales:
               
     North America
 
$
91,556
   
$
34,273
   
$
162,415
   
$
95,796
 
     Asia
   
87,714
     
69,602
     
199,574
     
166,362
 
     Europe
   
44,778
     
9,313
     
72,220
     
30,029
 
Total segment sales
   
224,048
     
113,188
     
434,209
     
292,187
 
Reconciling item:
                               
     Intersegment sales
   
(67,707
)
   
(12,024
)
   
(95,783
)
   
(34,014
)
Net sales
 
$
156,341
   
$
101,164
   
$
338,426
   
$
258,173
 
                                 
Income from operations:
                               
    North America
 
$
(1,964
)
 
$
(239
)
 
$
(2,698
)
 
$
(3,734
)
    Asia
   
3,306
     
7,915
     
9,694
     
11,026
 
    Europe
   
3,330
     
56
     
4,271
     
672
 
   
$
4,672
   
$
7,732
   
$
11,267
   
$
7,964
 


During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods of 2013,  the 2013 acquisitions of TRP and Array contributed significantly to Bel's Asia and North America segment sales, and TRP's income from operations in Asia more than offset Bel's loss from operations in North America. The acquisition of Power Solutions in June 2014 contributed significantly to Bel's North America and Europe segment sales during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods of 2013.   The acquisition of Connectivity Solutions contributed to North America and Europe segment sales beginning in August 2014, and to Asia segment sales beginning in September 2014.  See Note 7 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.  Within North America, the improvement in income from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period of 2013 was also attributable to the recovery of the Cinch operations.  Both sales and income from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were negatively impacted by the relocation of Cinch's North American manufacturing operations.  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 during early 2013.  These transition issues were resolved by the end of 2013.

Overview of Financial Results

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by 31.1% to $338.4 million from $258.2 million for the same period of 2013.  Sales were favorably impacted by the contributions made by the 2013 and 2014 Acquisitions, and the rebounding of Cinch sales after the relocation of its manufacturing operations in early 2013.  Pricing to customers was adjusted during the latter half of 2013 to recover some of the higher labor costs in China and other cost increases resulting from the continued strengthening of the Chinese Renminbi.  These increased prices are reflected in the 2014 sales figures above. Selling, general and administrative expense was $12.4 million higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period of 2013, primarily due to the inclusion of expenses from the recent acquisitions and acquisition-related costs.  These factors led to net earnings of $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to $8.5 million for the same period of 2013.   Additional details related to these factors affecting the nine-month results are described in the Results of Operations section below.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management's discussion and analysis of Bel's 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, warranties, 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,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
                 
Net sales
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
82.0
     
80.2
     
82.2
     
82.8
 
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses
   
14.8
     
12.2
     
14.0
     
13.6
 
Restructuring charges
   
0.2
     
-
     
0.4
     
0.5
 
Interest expense
   
1.2
     
0.1
     
0.6
     
-
 
Interest income and other, net
   
-
     
0.1
     
-
     
0.1
 
Earnings before provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
1.8
     
7.8
     
2.7
     
3.2
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
0.8
     
0.5
     
0.6
     
(0.1
)
Net earnings
   
1.0
     
7.3
     
2.1
     
3.3
 



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, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
Compared with
 
Compared with
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
         
Net sales
   
54.5
%
   
31.1
%
Cost of sales
   
58.1
     
30.2
 
SG&A expenses
   
87.9
     
35.5
 
Net earnings
   
(79.6
)
   
(16.9
)




Sales

Net sales increased 54.5% from $101.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 to $156.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014.  Net sales increased 31.1% from $258.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $338.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The Company's net sales by product group for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Magnetic solutions (a)
 
$
46,159
     
29
%
 
$
52,943
     
52
%
 
$
130,188
     
38
%
 
$
122,958
     
48
%
Connectivity solutions (b)
   
44,985
     
29
%
   
29,976
     
30
%
   
107,352
     
32
%
   
83,181
     
32
%
Power solutions and protection (c)
   
65,197
     
42
%
   
18,245
     
18
%
   
100,886
     
30
%
   
52,034
     
20
%
   
$
156,341
     
100
%
 
$
101,164
     
100
%
 
$
338,426
     
100
%
 
$
258,173
     
100
%

(a) "Magnetic solutions" consists of Bel's legacy RJ45 connector business, the TRP business and the Company's Signal Transformer business.
(b)  "Connectivity solutions" represents the Company's former Interconnect group, consisting of Cinch, the recently acquired Emerson Connectivity Solutions business, Array Connector and the Stewart Connector passive connector lines.
(c)  "Power solutions and protection" represents the Company's former Modules group, consisting of Power-One, the Company's legacy DC-DC, modules manufacturing, and circuit protection business.

Magnetic solutions net sales decreased from the third quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2014, principally as a result of a reduction in the sale of TRP products. Sales of Magnetic solutions products for the first nine months of 2014 increased as compared to the same period of 2013 as $51.1 million of TRP product sales are included in the 2014 period, as compared to $46.9 million for the same period of 2013 (TRP was acquired in late-March 2013).

The acquisition of Array in August 2013 and Connectivity Solutions in late-July 2014 and late-August 2014 contributed combined sales of $15.7 million and $19.3 million, respectively, to the Company's Connectivity solutions product group during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

The acquisition of Power Solutions in mid-June 2014 contributed sales of $49.1 million and $56.3 million, respectively, to the three and nine-month Power solutions and protection sales figures noted above for the 2014 periods.  This contribution was partially offset by a reduction in legacy-Bel DC/DC converter sales of $3.9 million and $9.3 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods of 2013.

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, 2014 and 2013 was comprised of the following:


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Material costs
   
46.8
%
   
41.4
%
   
45.0
%
   
43.7
%
Labor costs
   
10.7
%
   
14.7
%
   
12.4
%
   
14.3
%
Research and development expenses
   
4.3
%
   
3.5
%
   
4.2
%
   
4.0
%
Other expenses
   
20.2
%
   
20.6
%
   
20.6
%
   
20.8
%
   Total cost of sales
   
82.0
%
   
80.2
%
   
82.2
%
   
82.8
%


Material costs as a percentage of sales were higher during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods of 2013, primarily due to the addition of Power Solutions products, which have a higher material content than Bel's other products.  This increase was partially offset by a reduction in material costs as a percentage of sales associated with Bel's other products, due to lower sales of Bel's DC-DC products which have a higher material content, and an increase in connectivity products, which carry a lower material content.

Labor costs during the periods presented for 2014 decreased as a percentage of sales as compared to the same periods of 2013.  The most significant factor contributing to the lower labor costs as a percentage of sales was the inclusion of Power Solutions products since the date of acquisition.  Power Solutions products have lower-labor content compared to Bel's historical average.  There was a further reduction in labor costs as a percentage of sales in the 2014 periods presented due to the improvement of manufacturing efficiencies associated with the Cinch reorganization in 2013, and the realization of cost savings from that initiative.  These reductions in labor costs were partially offset by the continued strengthening of the Chinese Renminbi, which had an unfavorable impact on the Company's labor costs in the PRC.

Included in cost of sales are research and development (R&D) expenses of $6.7 million and $3.5 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $14.1 million and $10.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The majority of these increases relate to the inclusion of R&D expenses associated with the 2013 and 2014 Acquisitions, which have been included in Bel's results since their respective acquisition dates.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A")

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, SG&A expense was $10.8 million higher as compared to the same period of 2013.  Of this increase, $8.2 million related to the inclusion of SG&A expenses of 2014 Acquisitions and $0.2 million in incremental SG&A expenses associated with a full three months of Array activity in 2014.  Other contributing factors included a $3.7 million increase in acquisition-related costs, offset by lower incentive compensation expense of $2.0 million and a reduction in legal and professional fees of $0.5 million.  Other items within SG&A increased by $1.2 million in total.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, SG&A expense was $12.4 million higher as compared to the same period of 2013.  Of this increase, $8.2 million related to the inclusion of SG&A expenses of 2014 Acquisitions and $1.0 million in incremental SG&A expenses associated with a full nine months of TRP and Array activity in 2014.  Other contributing factors included a $4.6 million increase in acquisition-related costs, offset by lower incentive compensation expense of $2.2 million and a reduction in legal and professional fees of $0.8 million.  Other items within SG&A increased by $1.6 million in total.

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 for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $1.3 million compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The Company's earnings before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2014 are approximately $5.0 million lower than the same period in 2013.  The Company's effective tax rate, the income tax provision as a percentage of earnings before provision for income taxes, was 46.7% and 5.9% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   The change in the effective tax rate during the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 is primarily attributed to the increase in US taxes despite a pretax loss in the North America segment principally related to increases in the liability for uncertain tax positions, valuation allowances and sub part F related income. This was offset in part by a true up of tax accruals.  Additionally, the increase in the effective tax rate is attributable to the increase in the European segments' profitability for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $2.2 million compared to a benefit of $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The Company's earnings before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are approximately $1.1 million higher than the same period in 2013.  The Company's effective tax rate was 23.6% and (4.1%) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   The change in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is primarily attributed to the same reasons as described above.  In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized an additional $0.4 million in R&E credits related to the year ended December 31, 2012, which offset the increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 8 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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, cash reserves, borrowings, and the issuance of Bel Fuse Inc. common stock.  Management believes that the cash flow from operations after payments of dividends and mandatory principal payments of long-term debt combined with its existing capital base, the Company's cash reserves and 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 funding include, among other things, a softening in the demand for the Company's existing and recently-acquired products; an inability to respond to customer demand for new products; an inability to successfully integrate the recent acquisitions discussed below, which could require substantial capital; future expansion of the Company's operations and net losses that would result in net cash being used in operating activities, resulting 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.

 
On April 25, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement with ABB Ltd. ("ABB") pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire the Power-One Power Solutions business from ABB for approximately $117.0 million, subject to adjustments based on working capital and the amount of cash at closing.  On June 19, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Power Solutions with a cash payment, net of cash acquired and including a working capital adjustment, of $110.0 million.  The Power Solutions acquisition was funded through bank borrowings, as discussed below.

On May 16, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Emerson Electric Co. ("Emerson") pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire the Emerson Network Power Connectivity Solutions ("CS") business from Emerson for $98.0 million, subject to adjustments based on working capital and the amount of cash at closing.  On July 25, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the U.S. and U.K. entities of the CS business from Emerson with a payment, net of cash acquired and including a working capital adjustment, of $90.7 million.  This portion of the CS acquisition was funded primarily through additional bank borrowings and with $3.9 million funded from Bel's cash on hand.  On August 29, 2014, an additional payment of $9 million, funded from Bel's cash on hand, was made in connection with the closing of the China portion of the acquisition.

At December 31, 2013, the Company maintained a $30 million line of credit with Bank of America (the "Credit Agreement"), which was due to expire on October 14, 2016.  At December 31, 2013, borrowings under the line of credit amounted to $12.0 million and the balance available under the Credit Agreement was $18.0 million.  The Credit Agreement bore interest at LIBOR plus 1.00% to 1.50% based on certain financial statement ratios maintained by the Company.  The interest rate in effect on the borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2013 was 1.4%.  The Company incurred interest expense of less than $0.1 million related to the borrowings under the Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  There was no interest expense related to the line of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as there were no borrowings outstanding during that period.  Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company was required to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with other financial conditions.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repaid the full $12.0 million balance outstanding and terminated the Credit Agreement.

On June 19, 2014, the Company entered into a senior Credit and Security Agreement with KeyBank National Association ("KeyBank"), as administrative agent, and lender, which was amended on June 30, 2014 principally to add a syndicate of additional lenders (as so amended, the "New Secured Credit Agreement").  The maturity date of the New Secured Credit Agreement is June 18, 2019.
The New Secured Credit Agreement consists of (i) a $50 million revolving credit facility ("Revolver"), (ii) a $145 million term loan facility ("Term Loan") and (iii) a $70 million delayed draw term loan ("DDTL").  Under the terms of the New Secured Credit Agreement, the Company is entitled, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to request additional commitments under the revolving credit facility or term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million to the extent that existing or new lenders agree to provide such additional commitments and/or term loans.
The obligations of the Company under the New Secured Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company's material U.S. subsidiaries (together with the Company, the "Loan Parties") and are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the existing and future personal property of the Loan Parties, certain material real property of the Loan Parties and certain of the Loan Parties' material U.S. subsidiaries, including 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Loan Parties' direct foreign subsidiaries.
The borrowings under the New Secured Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, either (1) LIBOR, plus a margin ranging from 1.75% per annum to 3.00% per annum depending on the Company's leverage ratio, or (2)(a) an "Alternate Base Rate," which is the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) KeyBank's prime rate and (iii) LIBOR with a maturity of one month plus 1.00%, plus (b) a margin ranging from 0.75% per annum to 2.00% per annum, depending on the Company's leverage ratio. The interest rate in effect at September 30, 2014 was 2.25%, which consists of LIBOR of 0.25% plus the Company's margin of 2.00%.
The New Secured Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default and financial covenants that measure (i) the ratio of the Company's total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis to the amount of the Company's consolidated EBITDA, as defined, ("Leverage Ratio") and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company's consolidated EBITDA to the Company's consolidated fixed charges ("Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio"). If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the New Secured Credit Agreement would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with its most restrictive covenant, the Leverage Ratio.  The unused credit available under the credit facility at September 30, 2014 was $27.0 million, of which we had the ability to borrow the full available balance without violating our Leverage Ratio covenant based on the Company's existing consolidated EBITDA.
KeyBank and certain of the agents and lenders party to the New Secured Credit Agreement (and each of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates) have provided and may in the future provide investment banking, cash management, underwriting, lending, commercial banking, trust, leasing services, foreign exchange and other advisory services to, or engage in transactions with, the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Certain of these parties have received, and these parties may in the future receive, customary compensation from the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates, for such services.
 
Concurrent with its entry into the New Secured Credit Agreement on June 19, 2014, the Company borrowed $145.0 million under the Term Loan to complete its acquisition of Power Solutions.  On July 25, 2014, the Company borrowed the full $70.0 million available under the DDTL and $20.0 million of the Revolver in order to fund the acquisition of Connectivity Solutions.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded deferred financing costs of $0.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively, which will be amortized over the five-year term, and incurred interest expense of $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
Scheduled principal payments of the long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):


2014
 
$
2,687
 
2015
   
13,438
 
2016
   
16,125
 
2017
   
18,812
 
2018
   
24,188
 
Thereafter
   
160,063
 
Total long-term debt
   
235,313
 
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt
   
(12,094
)
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt
 
$
223,219
 


Cash Flows

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company's cash and cash equivalents increased by $21.0 million. This resulted primarily from $19.1 million provided by operating activities, $215.0 million of proceeds from long-term debt and $23.0 million of proceeds from borrowing under the revolver, partially offset by payments totaling $206.5 million, net of cash acquired, for the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions, $12.0 million of repayments under the revolving credit line, $2.7 million of repayments of long-term debt, $5.4 million paid in deferred financing costs, $5.8 million paid for the purchase of property, plant and equipment and $2.3 million for payments of dividends.  As compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013, cash provided by operating activities increased by $13.0 million, partially due to a $5.0 million increase in depreciation and amortization and a $2.0 million increase in accounts receivable during 2014, as compared to a $13.0 million increase in accounts receivable during 2013.  The decrease in inventory during 2014 was mostly offset by a reduction in accounts payable and accrued expense balances during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable comprised approximately 37.4% and 40.9% of the Company's total assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company's current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 2.6 to 1 and 3.0 to 1 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth at December 31, 2013 the amounts of payments due under specific types of contractual obligations, aggregated by category of contractual obligation, for the time periods described below.  This table excludes $2.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013, as the Company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlements, if any, with the respective taxing authorities.


   
Payments due by period (dollars in thousands)
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3
years
   
3-5
years
   
More than
5 years
 
                     
Capital expenditure obligations
 
$
3,014
   
$
3,014
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Operating leases
   
15,305
     
4,522
     
5,630
     
2,654
     
2,499
 
Raw material purchase obligations
   
23,376
     
23,288
     
88
     
-
     
-
 
                                         
Total
 
$
41,695
   
$
30,824
   
$
5,718
   
$
2,654
   
$
2,499
 



During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, in connection with the 2014 Acquisitions and the associated borrowings under the New Secured Credit Agreement, the following additional contractual obligations existed as of September 30, 2014:


   
Payments due by period (dollars in thousands)
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3
years
   
3-5
years
   
More than
5 years
 
                     
Long-term debt obligations
 
$
235,313
   
$
12,094
   
$
33,594
   
$
189,625
   
$
-
 
Capital expenditure obligations
   
530
     
530
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Operating leases
   
7,342
     
3,929
     
2,702
     
711
     
-
 
Raw material purchase obligations
   
19,325
     
19,296
     
29
     
-
     
-
 
                                         
Total
 
$
262,510
   
$
35,849
   
$
36,325
   
$
190,336
   
$
-
 



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 changes in interest rates associated with its long-term debt.  There have not been any material changes with regard to market risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  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, 2013 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 6.  Exhibits
 
   
(a)Exhibits:
 
   
   
31.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2*
Certification of the principal accounting and financial officer 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 principal accounting and financial officer 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.


SIGNATURES


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



 
BEL FUSE INC.
November 10, 2014
 
By:
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
 
Daniel Bernstein
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
By:
/s/ Colin Dunn
 
Colin Dunn
 
Vice President of Finance and Secretary
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

















EXHIBIT INDEX

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 principal accounting and financial officer 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 principal accounting and financial officer 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.