UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

 

Commission file number: 001-13337

 

STONERIDGE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio   34-1598949
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
9400 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio   44484
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(330) 856-2443
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, without par value   New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

o Yes x No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

o Yes x 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.

x Yes o No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

x Yes o No

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.                  o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

As of June 30, 2015, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $310.1 million. The closing price of the Common Shares on June 30, 2015 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $11.71 per share. As of June 30, 2015, the number of Common Shares outstanding was 27,913,194.

 

The number of Common Shares outstanding as of February 29, 2016 was 27,786,978.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. 

 

 

 

 

INDEX

 

    Page
PART I
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 7
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 13
Item 2. Properties 14
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 15
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure 15
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 15
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 17
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 18
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 33
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 34
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 71
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 71
Item 9B. Other Information 73
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 73
Item 11. Executive Compensation 73
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 73
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 74
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 74
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 74
     
Signatures   75

 

 

i 

 

  

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Portions of this report on Form 10-K contain “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear in a number of places in this report and may include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business and (v) operation expectations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “will,” “may,” “should,” “designed to,” “believes,” “plans,” “projects,” “intends,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “continue,” and similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors:

 

·the reduced purchases, loss or bankruptcy of a major customer;
·the costs and timing of facility closures, business realignment, or similar actions;
·a significant change in automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production;
·competitive market conditions and resulting effects on sales and pricing;
·the impact on changes in foreign currency exchange rates on sales, costs and results, particularly the Brazilian real, euro, Argentinian peso, Mexican peso and Swedish krona;
·our ability to achieve cost reductions that offset or exceed customer-mandated selling price reductions;
·a significant change in general economic conditions in any of the various countries in which we operate;
·labor disruptions at our facilities or at any of our significant customers or suppliers;
·the ability of our suppliers to supply us with parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis;
·the amount of our indebtedness and the restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our revolving credit facility;
·customer acceptance of new products;
·capital availability or costs, including changes in interest rates or market perceptions;
·the failure to achieve the successful integration of any acquired company or business; and
·the items described in Part I, Item IA (“Risk Factors”).

 

In addition, the forward-looking statements contained herein represent our estimates only as of the date of this filing and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date.  While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

 

ii 

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

 

Overview

 

Founded in 1965, Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”) is a global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. Our products and systems are critical elements in the management of mechanical and electrical systems to improve overall vehicle performance, convenience and monitoring in areas such as emissions control, fuel efficiency, safety, security and infotainment. Our extensive footprint encompasses 27 locations in 12 countries and enables us to supply global and regional automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle manufacturers around the world.

 

Our custom-engineered products and systems are used to activate equipment and accessories, monitor and display vehicle performance and control, distribute electrical power and signals and provide vehicle security and convenience. Our product offerings consist of (i) sensors, (ii) application-specific actuators, switches and valves (iii) vehicle and driver information systems, (iv) vehicle management electronics, (v) power and switch distribution modules and telematics, (vi) security alarms and vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services and (vii) convenience accessories. We supply the majority of our products, predominantly on a sole-source basis, to many of the world’s leading commercial vehicle and automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), agricultural manufacturers and select non-vehicle OEMs, as well as certain commercial vehicle and automotive tier one suppliers. Our customers are increasingly utilizing electronic technology to comply with more stringent regulations (particularly emissions and safety) and to meet end-user demand for improved vehicle performance and greater convenience. As a result, per-vehicle electronic content has been increasing. Our technology and our partnership-oriented approach to product design and development enables us to develop next-generation products.

 

Segments and Products

 

We conduct our business in three reportable segments which are the same as our operating segments: Control Devices, Electronics and PST.

 

Control Devices. Our Control Devices segment designs and manufactures products that monitor, measure or activate specific functions within a vehicle. This segment includes product lines such as sensors, switches, valves and actuators. Sensor products are employed in major vehicle systems such as the emissions, safety, powertrain, braking, climate control, steering and suspension systems. Switches transmit signals that activate specific functions. Our switch technology is principally used in two capacities, user-activated and hidden. User-activated switches are used by a vehicle’s operator or passengers to manually activate, rear defrosters and other accessories. Hidden switches are not typically visible to vehicle operators or passengers and are engaged to activate or deactivate selected functions as part of normal vehicle operations, such as brake lights. In addition, our Control Devices segment designs and manufactures actuator products that enable OEMs to deploy power functions in a vehicle and can be designed to integrate switching and control functions including our shift by wire product. We sell these products principally to the automotive market as well as the commercial vehicle and agricultural markets.

 

Electronics. Our Electronics segment designs and manufactures electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units and driver information systems. These products collect, store and display vehicle information such as speed, pressure, maintenance data, trip information, operator performance, temperature, distance traveled and driver messages related to vehicle performance. In addition, power distribution modules and systems regulate, coordinate, monitor and direct the operation of the electrical system within a vehicle. These products use state-of-the-art hardware, software and multiplexing technology and are sold principally to the commercial vehicle market.

 

PST. Our PST segment, which primarily serves the South American market, specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of in-vehicle audio and video devices, electronic vehicle security alarms, convenience accessories, vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services primarily for the automotive and motorcycle markets. This segment includes product lines such as alarms, convenience applications, vehicle monitoring and tracking devices and infotainment systems. These products improve the performance, safety and convenience features of our customers’ vehicles. PST sells its products through the aftermarket distribution channel, to factory authorized dealer installers, also referred to as original equipment services, direct to OEMs and through mass merchandisers.

 

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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the percentage of net sales attributable to our reportable segments and product categories of each for the years ended December 31:

 

Segment  Product Category  2015   2014   2013 
Control Devices  Sensors, switches, valves and actuators   52%   47%   44%
Electronics  Electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units and driver information systems   33%   32%   29%
PST  Security alarms, vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services and convenience accessories   15%   21%   27%

 

Our products and systems are sold to numerous OEM and tier one supplier customers, as well as aftermarket distributors and mass merchandisers, for use on many different vehicle platforms. We supply multiple parts to many of our principal OEM and tier one customers under requirements contracts for a particular vehicle model. These contracts range in duration from one year to the production life of the model, which commonly extends for three to seven years.

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the percentage of net sales derived from our principal end markets for the years ended December 31:

 

Principal End Markets  2015   2014   2013 
Automotive   42%   37%   35%
Commercial vehicle   37    36    33 
Aftermarket distributors and mass merchandisers   15    21    27 
Agricultural and other   6    6    5 

 

For further information related to our reportable segments and financial information about geographic areas, see Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Sale of Wiring Business

 

We sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our Wiring business on August 1, 2014. As a result, the Wiring business has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the Company’s financial statements herein, and therefore has been excluded from continuing operations, segment results and other information herein for all periods presented. The Wiring business designed and manufactured wiring harness products and assembled instruments panels for sale principally to the commercial, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

 

Production Materials

 

The principal production materials used in the manufacturing process for our reportable segments include: molded plastic components and resins, copper, precious metals and certain electrical components such as printed circuit boards, semiconductors, microprocessors, memory devices, resistors, capacitors, fuses, relays and infotainment devices. We purchase such materials pursuant to both annual contract and spot purchasing methods. Such materials are available from multiple sources, but we generally establish collaborative relationships with a qualified supplier for each of our key production materials in order to lower costs and enhance service and quality. As global demand for our production materials increases, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate production materials from our suppliers to satisfy our customers. Any extended period of time for which we cannot obtain adequate production material or which we experience an increase in the price of production material could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Patents, Trademarks and Intellectual Property

 

We maintain and have pending various U.S. and foreign patents, trademarks and other rights to intellectual property relating to the reportable segments of our business, which we believe are appropriate to protect the Company's interests in existing products, new inventions, manufacturing processes and product developments. We do not believe any single patent is material to our business, nor would the expiration or invalidity of any patent have a material adverse effect on our business or ability to compete. We are not currently engaged in litigation related to material infringement claims other than one matter related to our Electronics segment which we believe is without merit. See additional details of the alleged patent infringement in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Industry Cyclicality and Seasonality

 

The markets for products in our reportable segments have been cyclical. Because these products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets, revenues and therefore results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors, like the impact of environmental regulations on our customers, which affect these markets. A decline in automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle production of our principal customers could adversely impact the Company. Also, our PST business is significantly dependent on the overall state of the Brazilian economy. Our Electronics and Control Devices segments are typically not affected by seasonality, however the demand for our PST segment consumer products is typically higher in the second half of the year, the fourth quarter in particular. 

 

Customers

 

We have several customers which account for a significant percentage of our sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers, or the loss of a significant customer, would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. We supply numerous different products to each of our principal customers. Contracts with several of our customers provide for supplying their requirements for a particular model, rather than for manufacturing a specific quantity of products. Such contracts range from one year to the life of the model, which is generally three to seven years. These contracts are subject to potential renegotiation from time to time, which may affect product pricing and generally may be terminated by our customers at any time. Therefore, the loss of a contract for a major model or a significant decrease in demand for certain key models or group of related models sold by any of our major customers could have a material adverse impact on the Company. We may also enter into contracts to supply parts, the introduction of which may then be delayed or cancelled. We also compete to supply products for successor models, and are therefore subject to the risk that the customer will not select the Company to produce products on any such model, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we sell products to other customers that are ultimately sold to our principal customers.

 

Because of the competitive nature of the markets we serve, we face pricing pressures from our customers in the ordinary course of business. In response to these pricing pressures we have been able to effectively manage our production costs by the combination of lowering certain costs and limiting the increase of others, the net impact of which has not been material. However, if we are unable to effectively manage production costs in the future to mitigate future pricing pressures, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

 

The following table presents our principal customers, as a percentage of net sales:

 

Years ended December 31  2015   2014   2013 
Ford Motor Company   14%   11%   10%
Scania Group   7    8    8 
Daimler   6    6    6 
Volvo   6    5    4 
General Motors Company   5    5    6 
Other   62    65    66 

 

Backlog

 

Our products are produced from readily available materials and have a relatively short manufacturing cycle; therefore our products are not on backlog status. Each of our production facilities maintains its own inventories and production schedules. Production capacity is adequate to handle current requirements and can be expanded to handle increased growth if needed.

 

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Competition

 

The markets for our products in our reportable segments are highly competitive. We compete based on technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery. We compete for new business both at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models for OEM customers. New model development generally begins two to five years before the marketing of such models to the public. Once a supplier has been selected to provide parts for a new program, an OEM customer will usually continue to purchase those parts from the selected supplier for the life of the program, although not necessarily for any model redesigns. We compete for aftermarket and mass merchandiser sales based on price, product functionality, quality and service.

 

Our diversity in products creates a wide range of competitors, which vary depending on both market and geographic location. We compete based on strong customer relations and a fast and flexible organization that develops technically effective solutions at or below target price. We compete against the following primary competitors:

 

Control Devices. Our primary competitors include Bosch, Continental AG, Delphi Automotive PLC, Denso Corporation, Electricfil, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Methode Electronics, Inc., NTK Technologies, Inc., TE Connectivity Ltd. and Sensata.

 

Electronics. Our primary competitors include Actia Group, Bosch, Continental AG, Delphi Automotive PLC, Dongfeng Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Magneti Marelli S.p.A. and Yazaki Corporation.

 

PST. Our primary competitors include Ceabs, Cerruns, Ituran, JVC/Kenwood Corporation, Lennox, M. Magneti Marelli S.p.A., MultiLaser, Quantum, Olimpus, Pioneer Corporation, Michelin and Sascar.

 

Product Development

 

Our research and development efforts for our reportable segments are largely product design and development oriented and consist primarily of applying known technologies to customer requests. We work closely with our customers to solve customer requests using innovative approaches. The majority of our development expenses are related to customer-sponsored programs where we are involved in designing custom-engineered solutions for specific applications or for next generation technology. To further our vehicle platform penetration, we have also developed collaborative relationships with the design and engineering departments of key customers. These collaborative efforts have resulted in the development of new and complimentary products and the enhancement of existing products.

 

While our engineering and product development departments are organized by market, our segments interact and collaborate on new products. The product development operations are complimented by technology groups in Canton, Massachusetts; Lexington, Ohio; Stockholm, Sweden; Pune, India; Manaus, Brazil; São Paulo, Brazil; and Shanghai, China.

 

We use efficient and quality oriented work processes to address our customers’ high standards. Our product development technical resources include a full complement of computer-aided design and engineering (“CAD/CAE”) software systems, including (i) virtual three-dimensional modeling, (ii) functional simulation and analysis capabilities and (iii) data links for rapid prototyping. These systems enable us to expedite product design and the manufacturing process to shorten the development time and ultimately time to market.

 

We have further strengthened our electrical engineering competencies through investment in equipment such as (i) automotive electro-magnetic compliance test chambers, (ii) programmable automotive and commercial vehicle transient generators, (iii) circuit simulators and (iv) other environmental test equipment. Additional investment in 3-D printing product machining equipment has allowed us to fabricate new product samples in a fraction of the time required historically. Our product development and validation efforts are supported by full service, on-site test labs at most manufacturing facilities, thus enabling cross-functional engineering teams to optimize the product, process and system performance before tooling initiation.

 

We have invested, and will continue to invest heavily in technology to develop new products for our customers. Product development costs incurred in connection with the development of new products and manufacturing methods, to the extent not recoverable from the customer, are expensed as incurred. Such costs amounted to approximately $38.8 million, $41.6 million and $40.4 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, or 6.0%, 6.3% and 6.1% of net sales for these periods.

 

We will continue to prioritize investment spending toward the design and development of new products over sustaining existing product programs for specific customers, which allows us to sell our products to multiple customers. The typical product development process takes three to five years to show tangible results. As part of our effort to evaluate our investment spending, we review our current product portfolio and adjust our spending to either accelerate or eliminate our investment in these products based on our position in the market and the potential of the market and product.

 

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Environmental and Other Regulations

 

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to water and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste and other materials. We believe that our business, operations and facilities have been and are being operated in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately 4,100 employees, approximately 62% of whom were located outside the United States. Although we have no collective bargaining agreements covering U.S. employees, a significant number of employees located in Brazil, Estonia, Mexico, Sweden, and the United Kingdom either (i) are represented by a union and are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, or (ii) are covered by works council or other employment arrangements required by law. We believe that relations with our employees are good.

 

Equity Investments and Joint Ventures

 

We make equity investments and form joint ventures in various global markets in order to achieve several strategic objectives including (i) diversifying our business by expanding in high-growth regions, (ii) employing complementary design processes, growth technologies and intellectual capital, and (iii) realizing cost savings from combined sourcing.

 

We have a 49% noncontrolling equity interest in India, Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd. (“Minda”) for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Minda manufactures electromechanical/electronic instrumentation equipment and sensors primarily for the automotive, motorcycle and commercial vehicle markets. We leverage our investment in Minda by sharing our knowledge and expertise in electrical components and systems and expanding Minda’s product offering through the joint development of our products designed for the market in India.

 

We also have a 74% controlling interest in PST Eletrônica Ltda. (“PST”), which is a consolidated subsidiary, for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. PST was previously a joint venture in Brazil. We made our initial investment in PST in October 1997 acquiring a 50% interest and subsequently acquired an additional 24% interest on December 31, 2011. Prior to the acquisition of the additional interest on December 31, 2011 , PST was accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

 

Executive Officers of the Company

 

Each executive officer of the Company serves the Board of Directors at its pleasure. The Board of Directors appoints corporate officers annually. The executive officers for reporting purposes under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of the Company are as follows:

 

Name   Age   Position
Jonathan B. DeGaynor   49   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
George E. Strickler   68   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Richard P. Adante   69   Vice President of Operations
Thomas A. Beaver   62   Vice President of the Company and President of Global Sales
Sergio de Cerqueira Leite   52   Director President of PST Eletrônica Ltda.
Peter Kruk   47   President of the Electronics Division
Alisa A. Nagle   48   Chief Human Resources Officer
Michael D. Sloan   59   Vice President of the Company and President of the Control Devices Division

 

Jonathan B. DeGaynor, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. DeGaynor was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2015. He has served as a director since May 2015. Prior to joining Stoneridge, Mr. DeGaynor served as the Vice President of Strategic Planning and Innovation of Guardian Industries Corp., (“Guardian”), from October 2014 until March 2015. Mr. DeGaynor served as Vice President of Business Development, Managing Director Asia for SRG Global, Inc., a Guardian company from 2008 through September 2014. Mr. DeGaynor served as Chief Operating Officer, International for Autocam Corporation from 2005 to 2008. Prior to that, Mr. DeGaynor held positions of increasing responsibility with Delphi Corporation from 1993 to 2005.

 

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George E. Strickler, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Strickler has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in January 2006. Mr. Strickler was appointed Treasurer of the Company in February 2007. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Strickler served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Republic Engineered Products, Inc. (“Republic”), from February 2004 to January 2006. Mr. Strickler currently serves as a director, Board member and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committees of TCP International Holdings Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of energy efficient lighting technologies.

 

Richard P. Adante, Vice President of Operations. Mr. Adante has served as Vice President of Operations since May 2011. From November 2009 until his appointment at Stoneridge, Mr. Adante was consulting through his personal consulting firm, RMA Management Consultants. From July 2006 to November 2009, Mr. Adante served as the President of Hawthorn Manufacturing, now known as Crowne Group.

 

Thomas A. Beaver, Vice President of the Company and President of Global Sales. Mr. Beaver has served as Vice President of the Company and President of Global Sales since May 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Beaver served as Vice President of the Company and Vice President of Global Sales and Systems Engineering from January 2005 to May 2012. From January 2000 to January 2005, Mr. Beaver served as Vice President of Stoneridge Sales and Marketing.

 

Sergio de Cerqueira Leite, Director President of PST Eletrônica Ltda. Mr. Leite is a founding partner of PST. He has held the Director President position since 1997.

 

Peter Kruk, President of the Electronics Division. Mr. Kruk has served as President of the Electronics Division since August 2012. Mr. Kruk joined the Company in October 2009 as the Managing Director of Stoneridge Electronics – Europe. Prior to that, he served as President of HEXPOL Wheels and Managing Director of Stellana AB from 2007 to 2009.

 

Alisa A. Nagle, Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Nagle has served as Chief Human Resources Officer since joining the Company in November 2015.  From 2007 until her employment with the Company, Ms. Nagle served as Vice President of Human Resources – Global Aftermarket and Original Equipment Groups and Global Central Functions at Johnson Controls, Inc. 

 

Michael D. Sloan, Vice President of the Company and President of the Control Devices Division. Mr. Sloan has served as President of the Control Devices Division since July 2009 and Vice President of the Company since December 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Sloan served as Vice President and General Manager of Stoneridge Hi-Stat from February 2004 to July 2009.

 

Available Information

 

We make available, free of charge through our website (www.stoneridge.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”), Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, all amendments to those reports, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Whistleblower Policy and Procedures and the charters of the Board of Director’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are posted on our website as well. Copies of these documents will be available to any shareholder upon request. Requests should be directed in writing to Investor Relations at Stoneridge, Inc., 9400 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484.

 

The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company. The public may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Our business is cyclical and a downturn in the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets as well as overall economic conditions could reduce the sales and profitability of our business.

 

The demand for products in our Control Devices and Electronics segments are largely dependent on the domestic and foreign production of automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicles. The markets for our products have been cyclical, because new vehicle demand is dependent on, among other things, consumer spending and is tied closely to the overall strength of the economy. Because the majority of our products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets, our net sales, and therefore our results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors which affect these markets. A decline in commercial, automotive, agricultural, motorcycle and off-highway vehicle production, or a material decline in market share by our significant customers, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Also, the demand for our PST segment products are significantly dependent on the general state of the Brazilian economy and automotive market.

 

In 2015, approximately 85% of our net sales were derived from automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets while approximately 15% were derived from aftermarket distributors, mass merchandisers and monitoring services markets.

 

We have foreign currency translation and transaction risks that may materially adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

 

The financial position and results of operations of our international subsidiaries are initially recorded in various foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies ordinarily has a negative effect on our reported sales and operating margin (and conversely, the weakening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies has a positive impact). The volatility of currency exchange rates may materially adversely affect our operating results, including foreign currency forward contracts. To mitigate a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates we use derivative financial instruments, including foreign currency contracts, to reduce the effect of such fluctuations on foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, inventory purchases and other foreign currency exposures.

 

We are subject to risks related to our international operations.

 

Approximately 43% of our net sales in 2015 were derived from sales outside of North America. At December 31, 2015, significant concentrations of net assets outside of North America included $51.3 million in South America and $71.4 million in Europe and Other. Non-current assets outside of North America accounted for approximately 55% of our non-current assets as of December 31, 2015. International sales and operations are subject to significant risks, including, among others:

  

·political and economic instability;

·restrictive trade policies;

·economic conditions in local markets;

·currency exchange controls;

·labor unrest;

·difficulty in obtaining distribution support and potentially adverse tax consequences; and

·the imposition of product tariffs and the burden of complying with a wide variety of international and U.S. export laws.

 

We may not realize sales represented by awarded business.

 

We base our growth projections, in part, on business awards made by our customers. These business awards generally renew annually during a program life cycle. Failure of actual production orders from our customers to approximate these business awards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

 7

 

 

The prices that we can charge some of our customers are predetermined and we bear the risk of costs in excess of our estimates, in addition to the risk of adverse effects resulting from general customer demands for cost reductions and quality improvements.

 

Our supply agreements with some of our customers require us to provide our products at predetermined prices. In some cases, these prices decline over the course of the contract and may require us to meet certain productivity and cost reduction targets. In addition, our customers may require us to share productivity savings in excess of our cost reduction targets. The costs that we incur in fulfilling these contracts may vary substantially from our initial estimates. Unanticipated cost increases or the inability to meet certain cost reduction targets may occur as a result of several factors, including increases in the costs of labor, components or materials. In some cases, we are permitted to pass on to our customers the cost increases associated with specific materials. However, cost overruns that we cannot pass on to our customers could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

OEM customers have exerted and continue to exert considerable pressure on component suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality and provide additional design and engineering capabilities and continue to demand and receive price reductions and measurable increases in quality through their use of competitive selection processes, rating programs and various other arrangements. We may be unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future to offset required price reductions. Additionally, OEMs have generally required component suppliers to provide more design engineering input at earlier stages of the product development process, the costs of which have, in some cases, been absorbed by the suppliers. Future price reductions, increased quality standards and additional engineering capabilities required by OEMs may reduce our profitability and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our business is very competitive and increased competition could reduce our sales and profitability.

 

The markets for our products are highly competitive. We compete based on technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery. Many of our competitors are more diversified and have greater financial and other resources than we do. In addition, with respect to certain products, some of our competitors are divisions of our OEM customers. We cannot assure that our business will not be adversely affected by competition or that we will be able to maintain our profitability if the competitive environment changes.

 

The loss or insolvency of any of our principal customers would adversely affect our future results.

 

We are dependent on several principal customers for a significant percentage of our net sales. In 2015, our top three customers were Ford Motor Company, Scania Group and Daimler which comprised 14%, 7% and 6% of our net sales, respectively. In 2015, our top ten customers accounted for 54% of our net sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The contracts we have entered into with many of our customers provide for supplying the customers’ requirements for a particular model, rather than for manufacturing a specific quantity of products. Such contracts range from one year to the life of the model, which is generally three to seven years. These contracts are subject to renegotiation, which may affect product pricing and generally may be terminated by our customers at any time. Therefore, the loss of a contract for a major model or a significant decrease in demand for certain key models or any group of related models sold by any of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition by reducing cash flows and our ability to spread costs over a larger revenue base. We also compete to supply products for successor models and are subject to the risk that the customer will not select us to produce products on any such model, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we have significant receivable balances related to these customers and other major customers that would be at risk in the event of their bankruptcy.

 

Consolidation among vehicle parts customers and suppliers could make it more difficult for us to compete successfully.

 

The vehicle part supply industry has undergone a significant consolidation as OEM customers have sought to lower costs, improve quality and increasingly purchase complete systems and modules rather than separate components. As a result of the cost focus of these major customers, we have been, and expect to continue to be, required to reduce prices. Because of these competitive pressures, we cannot assure you that we will be able to increase or maintain gross margins on product sales to our customers. The trend toward consolidation among vehicle parts suppliers is resulting in fewer, larger suppliers who benefit from purchasing and distribution economies of scale. If we cannot achieve cost savings and operational improvements sufficient to allow us to compete successfully in the future with these larger, consolidated companies, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

 8

 

 

We rely on independent dealers and distributors to sell certain products in the aftermarket sales channel and a disruption to this channel would harm our business.

 

Because we sell certain products such as security accessories and driver information products to independent dealers and distributors, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for our products. If dealers and distributors do not maintain sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demand, our sales could be negatively impacted.

 

Our dealer network also sells products offered by our competitors. If our competitors offer our dealers more favorable terms, those dealers may de-emphasize or decline to carry our products. In the future, we may not be able to retain or attract a sufficient number of qualified dealers and distributors. If we are unable to maintain successful relationships with dealers and distributors, or to expand our distribution channels, our business will suffer.

 

We are dependent on the availability and price of raw materials and other supplies.

 

We require substantial amounts of raw materials and other supplies, and substantially all such materials we require are purchased from outside sources. The availability and prices of raw materials and other supplies may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers and interruptions in production by suppliers, weather emergencies, natural disasters, commercial disputes, acts of terrorism or war, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels. If demand for raw materials increases, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate raw materials and other supplies from our suppliers to satisfy our customers. At times, we have experienced difficulty obtaining adequate supplies of semiconductors and memory chips for our Control Devices, Electronics and PST segments. In addition, there have been challenges at times in obtaining timely supply of nylon and resins for our Control Devices segment and audio component parts for our PST segment. If we cannot obtain adequate raw materials and other supplies, or if we experience an increase in the price of raw materials and other supplies, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

We use a variety of commodities, including copper, zinc, resins and certain other commodities. Increasing commodity costs could have a negative impact on our results. We have sought at times to alleviate the effect of increasing costs by selectively hedging a portion of our exposure. The inability to effectively hedge them may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

We must implement and sustain a competitive technological advantage in producing our products to compete effectively.

 

Our products are subject to changing technology, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to alternative products introduced by competitors. Our success will depend on our ability to continue to meet customers’ changing specifications with respect to technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery by implementing and sustaining competitive technological advances. Our business may, therefore, require significant recurring additional capital expenditures and investment in product development and manufacturing and management information systems. We cannot assure that we will be able to achieve the technological advances or introduce new products that may be necessary to remain competitive. Our inability to continuously improve existing products, to develop new products and to achieve technological advances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

PST’s Global Positioning Systems (“GPS”) products depend upon satellites maintained by the United States Department of Defense. If a significant number of these satellites become inoperable, unavailable or are not replaced, or if the policies of the United States government for the use of the GPS without charge are changed, our business will suffer.

 

The GPS is a satellite-based navigation and positioning system consisting of a constellation of orbiting satellites. The satellites and their ground control and monitoring stations are maintained and operated by the United States Department of Defense. The Department of Defense does not currently charge users for access to the satellite signals. These satellites and their ground support systems are complex electronic systems subject to electronic and mechanical failures and possible sabotage.

 

 9

 

 

If a significant number of satellites were to become inoperable, unavailable or are not replaced, it would impair the current utility of our GPS products and the growth of market opportunities. In addition, there can be no assurance that the U.S. government will remain committed to the operation and maintenance of GPS satellites over a long period, or that the policies of the U.S. government that provide for the use of the GPS without charge and without accuracy degradation will remain unchanged. Because of the increasing commercial applications of the GPS, other U.S. government agencies may become involved in the administration or the regulation of the use of GPS signals. Any of the foregoing factors could affect the willingness of buyers of our products to select GPS-based products instead of products based on competing technologies, which could adversely affect our operational revenues and our financial condition.

 

We may incur material product liability costs.

 

We may be subject to product liability claims in the event that the failure of any of our products results in personal injury or death and we cannot assure that we will not experience material product liability losses in the future. We cannot assure that our product liability insurance will be adequate for liabilities ultimately incurred or that it will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in government-imposed or customer OEM-instituted recalls involving such products. A successful claim brought against us that exceeds available insurance coverage or a requirement to participate in any product recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Increased or unexpected product warranty claims could adversely affect us.

 

We typically provide our customers a warranty covering workmanship, and in some cases materials, on products we manufacture. Our warranty generally provides that products will be free from defects and adhere to customer specifications. If a product fails to comply with the warranty, we may be obligated or compelled, at our expense, to correct any defect by repairing or replacing the defective product. We maintain warranty reserves in an amount based on historical trends of units sold and payment amounts, combined with our current understanding of the status of existing claims. To estimate the warranty reserves, we must forecast the resolution of existing claims, as well as expected future claims on products previously sold. The amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what we may ultimately be required to pay. An increase in the rate of warranty claims or the occurrence of unexpected warranty claims could have a material adverse effect on our customer relations and our financial condition or results of operations.

 

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights or maintain our rights to use licensed intellectual property or are found liable for infringing the rights of others, our business could be adversely affected.

 

Our intellectual property, including our patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and license agreements, are important in the operation of our businesses, and we rely on the patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws of the United States and other countries, as well as nondisclosure agreements, to protect our intellectual property rights. We may not, however, be able to prevent third parties from infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating our intellectual property, breaching any nondisclosure agreements with us, or independently developing technology that is similar or superior to ours and not covered by our intellectual property. Any of the foregoing could reduce any competitive advantage we have developed, cause us to lose sales or otherwise harm our business. We cannot assure that any intellectual property will provide us with any competitive advantage or will not be challenged, rejected, cancelled, invalidated or declared unenforceable. In the case of pending patent applications, we may not be successful in securing issued patents, or securing patents that provide us with a competitive advantage for our businesses. In addition, our competitors may design products around our patents that avoid infringement and violation of our intellectual property rights.

 

We cannot be certain that we have rights to use all intellectual property used in the conduct of our businesses or that we have complied with the terms of agreements by which we acquire such rights, which could expose us to infringement, misappropriation or other claims alleging violations of third party intellectual property rights. Third parties have asserted and may assert or prosecute infringement claims against us in connection with the services and products that we offer, and we may or may not be able to successfully defend these claims. Litigation, either to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend against claims regarding intellectual property rights of others, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our resources. Any such claims and resulting litigation could require us to enter into licensing agreements (if available on acceptable terms or at all), pay damages and cease making or selling certain products and could result in a loss of our intellectual property protection. Moreover, we may need to redesign some of our products to avoid future infringement liability. We also may be required to indemnify customers or other third parties at significant expense in connection with such claims and actions. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

  

 10

 

 

Our debt obligations could limit our flexibility in managing our business and expose us to risks.

 

As of December 31, 2015, there was $100.0 million in borrowings outstanding on our revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). In addition, we are permitted under our Credit Facility to incur additional debt, subject to specified limitations. Our leverage and the terms of our indebtedness may have important consequences including the following:

 

·we may have difficulty satisfying our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, and if we fail to comply with these requirements, an event of default could result;

·we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to required payments on indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate activities;

·covenants relating to our debt may limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate activities;

·covenants relating to our debt may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

·we may be more vulnerable than our competitors to the impact of economic downturns and adverse developments in our business; and

·we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage against any less leveraged competitors.

 

These and other consequences of our leverage and the terms of our indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Covenants in our Credit Facility may limit our ability to pursue our business strategies.

 

Our Credit Facility limits our ability to, among other things:

 

·incur additional debt and guarantees;

·pay dividends and repurchase our shares;

·make other restricted payments, including investments;

·create liens;

·sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital shares of subsidiaries;

·enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries;

·consolidate, merge or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; and

·substantially change the nature of our business.

 

The agreement governing our Credit Facility requires us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and places a maximum annual limit on capital expenditures. Our ability to comply with these covenants as well as the restrictive covenants under the terms of our indebtedness, may be affected by events beyond our control.

 

A breach of any of the restrictive covenants under our indebtedness or our inability to comply with the leverage and interest ratio requirements in the Credit Facility could result in a default. If a default occurs, the lenders under the Credit Facility could elect to declare all outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and terminate any commitments they have to provide further borrowings, and the Credit Facility lenders could pursue foreclosure and other remedies against us and our assets.

 

 11

 

  

We have limited or no redundancy for certain of our manufacturing facilities, and therefore damage or disruption to those facilities could interrupt our operations, increase our costs of doing business and impair our ability to deliver our products on a timely basis.

 

If certain of our existing production facilities become incapable of manufacturing products for any reason, we may be unable to meet production requirements, we may lose revenue and we may not be able to maintain our relationships with our customers. Without operation of certain existing production facilities, we may be limited in our ability to deliver products until we restore the manufacturing capability at the particular facility, find an alternative manufacturing facility or arrange an alternative source of supply.  Although we carry business interruption insurance to cover lost revenue and profits in an amount we consider adequate, this insurance does not cover all possible situations.  Also, our business interruption insurance would not compensate us for the loss of opportunity and potential adverse impact on relations with our existing customers resulting from our inability to produce products for them.

 

A failure of our information technology (IT) networks and systems, or the inability to successfully implement upgrades to our enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, could adversely impact our business and operations.

 

We rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and/or activities. The secure operation of these information technology networks and systems and the proper processing and maintenance of this information are critical to our business operations.  Despite the implementation of security measures, our IT systems are at risk to damages from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions.  The occurrence of any of these events could compromise our networks, and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed or lost.  Any such access, disclosure, loss of information or disruption of our operations could cause significant damage to our reputation, affect our relationships with our customers, suppliers and employees, lead to claims against the company and ultimately harm our business.   We may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.

 

Also, we continually expand and update our IT networks and systems in response to the changing needs of our business and periodically upgrade our ERP systems.  Should our networks or systems not be implemented successfully, or if the systems do not perform in a satisfactory manner once implementation is complete, our business and operations could be disrupted and our results of operations could be adversely affected, including our ability to report accurate and timely financial results.

 

We may experience increased costs and other disruptions to our business associated with labor relations.

 

As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately 4,100 employees, approximately 62% of whom were located outside the United States. Although we have no collective bargaining agreements covering U.S. employees, a significant number of employees located in Brazil, Estonia, Mexico, Sweden and the United Kingdom either (i) are represented by a union and are covered by a collective bargaining agreement or (ii) are covered by works council or other employment arrangements required by law. We cannot assure you that other employees will not be represented by a labor organization in the future or that any of our facilities will not experience a work stoppage or other labor disruption. Any work stoppage or other labor disruption involving our employees, employees of our customers (many of which customers have employees who are represented by unions), or employees of our suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations by disrupting our ability to manufacture our products or reducing the demand for our products.

 

Compliance with environmental and other governmental regulations could be costly and require us to make significant expenditures.

 

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things:

 

·the discharge of pollutants into the air and water;
·the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste and other materials;
·the cleanup of contaminated properties; and
·the health and safety of our employees.

 

 12

 

 

Our business, operations and facilities are subject to environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines for violations. The operation of our manufacturing facilities entails risks and we cannot assure you that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these operations. In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with evolving environmental, health and safety laws, regulations or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future. Changes in environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and requirements or other governmental regulations could increase our cost of doing business or adversely affect the demand for our products.

 

We also may be required to investigate or clean up contamination resulting from past or current uses of our properties. At our former Sarasota, Florida facility, for example, groundwater and soil contamination caused by operations before we acquired the facility is in the process of being remediated. The costs of such remediation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Although no other environmental matters have been identified, other matters involving environmental contamination may also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our annual effective tax rate could be volatile and materially change as a result of changes in the mix of earnings and other factors including changes in the recognition and/or reversal of valuation allowances.

 

Our overall effective tax rate is computed by dividing our total tax expense by our total earnings before tax. However, tax expense and benefits are not recognized on a global basis, but rather on a jurisdictional or legal entity basis. Losses in certain jurisdictions may not provide a current financial statement tax benefit as a result of the need to maintain a valuation allowance against the associated deferred tax asset. Also, management periodically evaluates the realizability of our deferred tax assets which may result in the recognition and/or reversal of valuation allowances. As a result, changes in the mix of earnings between jurisdictions and changes in the recognition and/or reversal of valuation allowances, among other factors, could have a significant effect on our overall effective tax rate.

 

We may not be able to successfully integrate acquisitions into our business or may otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions.

 

Failure to successfully identify, complete and/or integrate acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on us. A portion of our growth in sales and earnings has been generated from acquisitions and subsequent improvements in the performance of the businesses acquired. We expect to continue a strategy of selectively identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products. We cannot assure you that any business acquired by us will be successfully integrated with our operations or prove to be profitable. We could incur substantial indebtedness in connection with our acquisition strategy, which could significantly increase our interest expense. Covenant restrictions relating to such indebtedness could restrict our ability to pay dividends, fund capital expenditures and consummate additional acquisitions.

 

We anticipate that acquisitions could occur in foreign markets in which we do not currently operate. As a result, the process of integrating acquired operations into our existing operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant financial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of existing operations. Any failure to successfully integrate such acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. None.

 

 13

 

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

The Company and its joint venture currently own or lease 11 manufacturing facilities that are in use, which together contain approximately 1.0 million square feet of manufacturing space. Of these manufacturing facilities, four are used by our Control Devices reportable segment, three are used by our Electronics reportable segment, three are used by our PST reportable segment and one is used by our joint venture, Minda. The following table provides information regarding our facilities:

 

   Owned/     Square 
Location  Leased  Use  Footage 
Control Devices           
Lexington, Ohio  Owned  Manufacturing/Division Office   219,612 
Juarez, Mexico (A)  Owned  Manufacturing   189,327 
Canton, Massachusetts  Owned  Manufacturing   132,560 
Suzhou, China (A)  Leased  Manufacturing/Warehouse   64,692 
El Paso, Texas (A)  Leased  Warehouse   57,000 
Lexington, Ohio  Leased  Warehouse   15,000 
Lexington, Ohio  Leased  Warehouse   2,700 
Beijing, China  Leased  Sales Office   129 
            
Electronics           
Tallinn, Estonia (B)  Leased  Manufacturing   85,911 
Orebro, Sweden  Leased  Manufacturing   77,472 
Stockholm, Sweden  Leased  Engineering Office/Division Office   39,600 
Dundee, Scotland  Leased  Manufacturing/Sales Office/Engineering Office   34,605 
Bayonne, France  Leased  Sales Office/Warehouse   9,655 
Lomersheim, Germany  Leased  Sales Office/Warehouse   5,597 
Shanghai, China (B)  Leased  Sales Office   5,034 
Madrid, Spain  Leased  Sales Office/Warehouse   1,545 
            
PST           
Manaus, Brazil  Owned  Manufacturing   102,247 
São Paulo, Brazil  Owned  Manufacturing/Engineering Office/Division Office   45,467 
São Paulo, Brazil  Leased  Sales Office   9,246 
Buenos Aires, Argentina  Leased  Manufacturing/Warehouse   6,500 
Buenos Aires, Argentina  Leased  Sales Office   5,798 
            
Corporate and Other           
Novi, Michigan  Leased  Sales Office/Engineering Office   9,400 
Warren, Ohio  Owned  Headquarters   7,500 
Warren, Ohio  Leased  Data Center   3,020 
Stuttgart, Germany  Leased  Sales Office/Engineering Office   1,000 
Seoul, South Korea  Leased  Sales Office   330 
            
Joint Venture           
Pune, India  Owned  Manufacturing/Engineering Office/Sales Office   80,000 

 

(A) This facility is also used in the Electronics reportable segment.

(B) This facility is also used in the Control Devices reportable segment.

 

 14

 

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are involved in certain legal actions and claims primarily arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, we do not believe that any of the litigation in which we are currently engaged, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. We are subject to a tax assessment in Brazil related to value added taxes on vehicle tracking and monitoring services for which the likelihood of loss is not probable although it may take years to resolve. In addition, we are subject to litigation regarding patent infringement. We are also subject to the risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the failure of any of our products causes personal injury or death to users of our products as well as product warranty and recall claims. There can be no assurance that we will not experience any material losses related to product liability, warranty or recall claims. In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in a government-imposed or customer OEM-instituted recall involving such products. See additional details of these matters in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure.

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Our shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SRI.” As of February 29, 2016, we had 27,786,978 Common Shares, without par value, outstanding which were owned by approximately 250 registered holders, including Common Shares held in the names of brokers and banks (so-called “street name” holdings) who are record holders with approximately 2,600 beneficial owners.

 

Since the Company’s initial public offering in 1997, we have not paid or declared dividends, which are restricted under the Credit Facility. We may only pay cash dividends on our Common Shares of up to $7.0 million annually if immediately prior to and immediately after the payment is made, no event of default under our Credit Facility shall have occurred. We currently intend to utilize cash flows from our earnings for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate purposes and reduction in outstanding indebtedness. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

High and low sales prices for our Common Shares for each quarter ended during 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

      Quarter Ended   High     Low  
2015     March 31   $ 13.26     $ 10.83  
      June 30   $ 13.23     $ 11.18  
      September 30   $ 13.12     $ 10.18  
      December 31   $ 15.74     $ 11.70  
2014     March 31   $ 12.83     $ 9.49  
      June 30   $ 11.62     $ 8.68  
      September 30   $ 13.07     $ 10.40  
      December 31   $ 13.40     $ 10.46  

 

There were no repurchases of Common Shares made by us during the years ended December 31, 2015 or 2014, other than the repurchase of Common Shares of 241,537 and 74,410, respectively, to satisfy employee tax withholdings associated with the vesting of restricted Common Shares.

 

 15

 

 

Performance Graph

 

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total return of a hypothetical investment in our Common Shares with the cumulative total return of hypothetical investments in the Morningstar Auto Parts Industry Group Index and the NYSE Composite Index based on the respective market price of each investment as of December 31, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 assuming in each case an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2010, and reinvestment of dividends.

 

 

   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   2015 
Stoneridge, Inc.  $100   $53   $32   $81   $81   $94 
Morningstar Auto Parts Index  $100   $86   $101   $157   $174   $163 
NYSE Composite Index  $100   $96   $112   $142   $151   $145 

 

For information on “Related Stockholder Matters” required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, refer to Item 12 of this report.

 

 16

 

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

The following table sets forth selected historical financial data and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto and other financial information included elsewhere herein. The selected historical data was derived from our consolidated financial statements.

                     
Years ended December 31  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011 (E) 
   (in thousands, except per share data) 
Statement of Operations Data:                         
Net sales:                         
Control Devices  $333,010   $306,658   $291,145   $267,860   $259,316 
Electronics   216,544    214,141    189,809    164,196    180,508 
PST   95,258    139,780    178,532    180,410    - 
Total net sales  $644,812   $660,579   $659,486   $612,466   $439,824 
                          
Gross profit  $176,978   $190,874   $205,955   $185,267   $121,289 
                          
Operating income (loss)                         
Control Devices  $44,690   $35,387   $32,331   $20,945   $22,851 
Electronics   13,784    17,444    20,732    15,851    21,304 
PST - consolidated (C) (E)   (7,542)   (59,587)   7,211    583    - 
Unallocated Corporate   (23,117)   (19,067)   (17,871)   (17,474)   (20,620)
Total operating income (loss)  $27,815   $(25,823)  $42,403   $19,905   $23,535 
                          
Equity in earnings of investees (E)  $608   $815   $476   $760   $10,034 
                          
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations  $20,230   $(53,060)  $23,326   $(3,810)  $80,663 
                          
Income (loss) from continuing operations (A) (C) (D) (E)  $20,777   $(51,204)  $20,529   $(3,777)  $55,349 
                          
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (B)   (210)   (9,387)   (4,021)   7,525    (9,812)
                          
Net income (loss)   20,567    (60,591)   16,508    3,748    45,537 
                          
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (A) (C)   (2,207)   (13,483)   1,377    (1,613)   (3,820)
                          
Net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $22,774   $(47,108)  $15,131   $5,361   $49,357 
                          
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $0.84   $(1.40)  $0.72   $(0.08)  $2.45 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $0.82   $(1.40)  $0.70   $(0.08)  $2.40 
                          
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to discontinued operations  $(0.01)  $(0.35)  $(0.15)  $0.28   $(0.41)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to discontinued operations  $(0.01)  $(0.35)  $(0.14)  $0.28   $(0.40)
                          
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $0.83   $(1.75)  $0.57   $0.20   $2.04 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $0.81   $(1.75)  $0.56   $0.20   $2.00 
                          
Other Continuing Operations Data:                         
Design and development  $38,792   $41,609   $40,372   $38,945   $29,115 
Capital expenditures  $28,735   $23,516   $21,576   $22,909   $16,550 
Depreciation and amortization (F)  $22,274   $27,105   $29,286   $29,405   $14,643 
                          
Balance Sheet Data (as of December 31):                         
Working capital  $123,859   $125,197   $215,880   $157,585   $131,534 
Total assets  $364,252   $398,751   $588,322   $592,691   $695,495 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  $104,458   $110,651   $185,045   $181,311   $183,711 
Shareholders' equity  $106,429   $113,806   $188,534   $193,834   $180,639 

  

(A)The Company recorded a full valuation allowance on PST’s net deferred tax assets of $1,237 for the year ended December 31, 2015 of which $322 was attributable to noncontrolling interest.

 

(B)The Company sold its Wiring business during the year ended December 31, 2014. As such, for all periods presented the Company reported this business as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

(C)The Company recorded a goodwill impairment of $51,458 related to PST during the year ended December 31, 2014 of which $11,304 was attributable to noncontrolling interest.

 

(D)The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10,607 related to the redemption of the 9.5% senior notes during the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(E)The acquisition of a controlling interest in PST occurred on December 31, 2011. PST’s balance sheet is reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The Company recognized a one-time non-cash pre-tax gain on previously held equity interest of $65,372 related to the PST acquisition of controlling interest in 2011. The equity in earnings related to PST was $8,805 for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

(F)These amounts represent depreciation and amortization on fixed and certain finite-lived intangible assets.

 

 17

 

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Segments

 

We are primarily organized by products produced and markets served. Under this structure, our operations have been reported using the following segments:

 

Control Devices. This segment includes results of operations that manufacture sensors, switches, valves and actuators.

 

Electronics. This segment includes results of operations from the production of electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units and driver information systems.

 

PST. This segment includes results of operations that design and manufacture electronic vehicle alarms, convenience accessories, vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services and in-vehicle audio and video devices.

 

We sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our Wiring business on August 1, 2014. As a result, the Wiring business has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the Company’s financial statements herein, and therefore has been excluded from both continuing operations, segment results and other information herein for all periods presented. The Wiring business designed and manufactured wiring harness products and assembled instruments panels for sale principally to the commercial, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

 

Overview

 

The Company had income from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. of $23.0 million, or $0.82 per diluted share and a loss from discontinued operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. of $(0.2) million, or $(0.01) per diluted share resulting in net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. of $22.8 million, or $0.81 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge. Inc. in 2015 increased by $60.7 million, or $2.22 per diluted share from loss from continuing operations of $(37.7) million, or $(1.40) per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to the 2014 goodwill impairment of $40.2 million (which is net of $11.3 million attributable to noncontrolling interest) related to our PST segment and loss on extinguishment of debt of $10.6 million, which had an aggregate negative impact of $50.8 million, or $1.89 per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.

 

Excluding the impact of the PST goodwill impairment and loss on debt extinguishment, our income from continuing operations increased during 2015 by $9.9 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, primarily due to lower interest expense of $10.5 million as a result of the debt refinancing which occurred in the late third and early fourth quarters of 2014.  While our gross profit decreased by $13.9 million primarily due to an unfavorable foreign currency translation as well as higher material costs in our Electronics and PST segments, it was substantially offset by a decrease in our selling, general and administrative costs of $13.3 million primarily due to foreign currency translation related to our PST and Electronics segments. 

 

Net sales in 2015 decreased by $15.8 million, or 2.4%, primarily due to lower sales at our PST segment which were partially offset by higher sales in our Control Devices segment during 2015 compared to 2014. PST segment sales declined primarily due to an unfavorable foreign currency translation while our Control Devices segment sales increased primarily due to higher North American automotive market sales. Electronics segment net sales increased slightly due to sales volume growth which was substantially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation.

 

Loss from discontinued operations related to the Wiring business was $(0.2) million, or $(0.01) per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2015, a $9.2 million, or $0.34 per diluted share decrease from loss from discontinued operations of $(9.4) million, or $(0.35) per diluted share for 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the after-tax loss on disposal of the Wiring business of $8.6 million in 2014.

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of $54.4 million and $43.0 million, respectively. The increase during 2015 was primarily due to improved working capital and earnings. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 we had $100.0 million in borrowings outstanding on our $300.0 million Credit Facility.

 

 18

 

 

Outlook

 

We expect improved financial performance in 2016 compared to 2015 because of new product launches and functional cost improvements.

 

We expect to have significant sales growth in our North American automotive vehicle market in 2016 related to new product launches including our shift by wire product by our Control Devices segment. Also, the North American automotive vehicle market production is expected to increase to 18.2 million units in 2016 (an increase from the 17.5 million units produced in 2015), which we expect to have a favorable effect on our Control Devices segment.

 

The North American commercial vehicle market improved in 2015, but is expected to decline in 2016 while the European commercial vehicle market in 2016 is forecasted to remain at approximately the same level with 2015.

 

Our PST segment revenues and operating performance continue to be adversely impacted by weakness of the Brazilian economy and automotive market and was negatively impacted by unfavorable foreign currency translation. In January 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its forecasts for the Brazil gross domestic product to decline 3.5% in 2016 and 0.0% in 2017. Based on the weakness in PST’s sales and operating performance during 2015 and lower forecasted growth of the Brazilian economy in 2016, PST’s sales and earnings growth expectations continue to be moderated for 2016. As there is significant uncertainty regarding the timing and magnitude of a recovery in the Brazilian economy and automotive market, PST continues to realign its cost structure to mitigate the effect on earnings of possible continued weakened product demand and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

 

We regularly evaluate the performance of our businesses and their cost structures, including personnel, and make necessary changes thereto in order to optimize our results.  We also evaluate the required skill sets of our personnel and periodically make strategic changes.  As a consequence of these actions, we incur severance related costs which we refer to as business realignment charges.

 

A significant portion of our sales are outside of the United States. These sales are generated by our non-U.S. based operations, and therefore, movements in foreign currency exchange rates can have a significant effect on our results of operations, which are presented in U.S. dollars. A significant portion of our raw materials purchased by our Electronics and PST segments are denominated in U.S. dollars, and therefore movements in foreign currency exchange rates can also have a significant effect on our results of operations. While the U.S. dollar strengthened significantly against the Swedish krona, euro and Brazilian real in 2015 increasing our material costs and reducing our reported results, we expect that the U.S. dollar will continue to strengthen against these currencies, but at a moderated pace in 2016.

 

Because of the competitive nature of the markets we serve, we face pricing pressures from our customers in the ordinary course of business. In response to these pricing pressures we have been able to effectively manage our production costs by the combination of lowering certain costs and limiting the increase of others, the net impact of which has not been material. However, if we are unable to effectively manage production costs in the future to mitigate future pricing pressures, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

  

 19

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

                   Dollar 
                   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2015       2014   (decrease) 
Net sales  $644,812    100.0%  $660,579    100.0%  $(15,767)
Costs and expenses:                         
Cost of goods sold   467,834    72.6    469,705    71.1    (1,871)
Selling, general and administrative   110,371    17.1    123,630    18.7    (13,259)
Design and development   38,792    6.0    41,609    6.3    (2,817)
Goodwill impairment   -    -    51,458    7.8    (51,458)
                          
Operating income (loss)   27,815    4.3    (25,823)   (3.9)   53,638 
Interest expense, net   6,365    1.0    16,880    2.6    (10,515)
Equity in earnings of investee   (608)   (0.1)   (815)   (0.1)   207 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   -    -    10,607    1.6    (10,607)
Other expense, net   1,828    0.3    565    0.1    1,263 
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations   20,230    3.1    (53,060)   (8.1)   73,290 
Income tax benefit from continuing operations   (547)   (0.1)   (1,856)   (0.3)   1,309 
Income (loss) from continuing operations   20,777    3.2    (51,204)   (7.8)   71,981 
Discontinued operations:                         
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   -    -    (811)   (0.1)   811 
Loss on disposal, net of tax   (210)   -    (8,576)   (1.3)   8,366 
Loss from discontinued operations   (210)   -    (9,387)   (1.4)   9,177 
                          
Net income (loss)   20,567    3.2    (60,591)   (9.2)   81,158 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest   (2,207)   (0.3)   (13,483)   (2.0)   11,276 
Net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $22,774    3.5%  $(47,108)   (7.2)%  $69,882 

 

Net Sales. Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding inter-segment sales are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

       Dollar   Percent 
                   increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2015       2014   (decrease)   (decrease) 
Control Devices  $333,010    51.6%  $306,658    46.4%  $26,352    8.6%
Electronics   216,544    33.6    214,141    32.4    2,403    1.1%
PST   95,258    14.8    139,780    21.2    (44,522)   (31.9)%
Total net sales  $644,812    100.0%  $660,579    100.0%  $(15,767)   (2.4)%

 

 20

 

 

Our Control Devices segment net sales increased primarily due to new product sales and growth in the North American automotive market and new program sales in our China automotive market of $22.8 million and $4.1 million, respectively, as well as slightly higher volume in our commercial vehicle market during 2015. These were offset by a decrease in agricultural sales volume of $1.0 million.

 

Our Electronics segment net sales increased primarily due to an increase in sales volume of our European commercial vehicle products of $16.9 million as well as an increase in sales of our North American commercial vehicle products of $16.6 million (from higher volume related to an increase in post-disposition sales to the Wiring business acquired by Motherson of $15.0 million), which were substantially offset by an unfavorable foreign currency translation of $28.8 million, or 13.5%, and European commercial vehicle contractual price reductions of $2.4 million.

 

Our PST segment net sales decreased primarily due to an unfavorable foreign currency translation which reduced sales by $38.1 million, or 27.3%, and lower product volume. Also, PST’s audio/car alarm sales volume declined due to further weakening of the Brazilian economy and automotive market while monitoring service sales volume increased.

 

Net sales by geographic location are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

       Dollar   Percent 
       increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2015       2014   (decrease)   (decrease) 
North America  $369,032    57.2%  $330,516    50.0%  $38,516    11.7%
South America   95,258    14.8    139,780    21.2    (44,522)   (31.9)%
Europe and Other   180,522    28.0    190,283    28.8    (9,761)   (5.1)%
Total net sales  $644,812    100.0%  $660,579    100.0%  $(15,767)   (2.4)%

 

The increase in North American net sales was primarily attributable to increased sales in our North American Control Devices’ automotive and Electronics’ commercial vehicle markets of $22.8 million and $16.6 million, respectively, which were partially offset by decreased agricultural volume of $1.0 million. The decrease in net sales in South America was primarily due to the impact of an unfavorable foreign currency translation and was also negatively impacted by lower product sales volume as a result of the weakened economic conditions in Brazil. Our decrease in net sales in Europe and Other was primarily due to an unfavorable foreign currency translation, which was substantially offset by increased sales of European commercial vehicle and Chinese automotive market products of $16.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin.  Cost of goods sold decreased by 0.4% primarily due to foreign currency translation resulting from changes in exchange rates between the functional currency of our Electronics and PST segments compared to the U.S. dollar. Offsetting the decline from foreign currency translation, cost of goods was negatively impacted by higher material costs resulting from significantly more unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates compared to the prior year. Our material cost as a percentage of net sales increased to 51.2% for 2015 compared to 49.2% for 2014. As a result, our gross margin decreased by 1.5% to 27.4% for 2015 compared to 28.9% for 2014. The higher material costs were due to unfavorable movement in foreign currency exchange rates in our Electronics segment, which were partially offset by lower material costs in our Control Devices segment. The Company purchases the majority of its materials under contracts denominated in U.S. dollars. As such, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Swedish krona, euro and Brazilian real throughout 2015 increased the material costs in our Electronics and PST segments.

 

Our Control Devices segment gross margin increased due to increased sales volume, lower material costs, a favorable mix of products sold and product redesign, which were partially offset by higher warranty costs principally related to one product and higher profit sharing.

 

Our Electronics segment gross margin decreased primarily due to higher material costs resulting from an unfavorable movement in foreign currency exchange rates, the impact of which was moderated by our foreign currency hedges.

 

Our PST segment gross margin remained flat as higher material costs resulting from an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates were offset by a favorable sales mix, prices increases, product redesign, new supplier sourcing and lower business realignment charges. PST business realignment charges decreased to $0.2 million for 2015 from $0.9 million for 2014.

 

 21

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expenses decreased by $13.3 million compared to 2014 as lower costs in our PST and Electronics segments were partially offset by higher costs in our unallocated corporate and Control Devices segments. SG&A costs in our PST and Electronics segments decreased primarily due to foreign currency translation resulting from movement in foreign currency exchange rates. SG&A costs in our unallocated corporate segment increased due to higher incentive-based compensation, higher recruitment, business realignment charges of $0.3 million and higher share-based compensation of $2.2 million in connection with the accelerated vesting associated with the retirement of our former President and CEO in June 2015, which were partially offset by lower professional fees. SG&A costs in our Control Devices segment increased primarily due to higher legal fees related to product litigation and an increase in incentive-based compensation. SG&A business realignment charges related to our Electronics, PST and unallocated corporate segments were $0.5 million for 2015 compared to $0.5 million related to PST for 2014.

 

Design and Development (“D&D”). D&D costs decreased by $2.8 million primarily due to foreign currency translation resulting from movement in foreign currency exchange rates in our PST and Electronics segments which was offset by a slight increase in product development costs in our Control Devices segment. D&D business realignment charges related to our Electronics and PST segments were $0.3 million for 2015 compared to $0.2 million related to PST for 2014.

 

Goodwill Impairment. A goodwill impairment of $51.5 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to our PST segment.  The impairment was due to the weakening of both the Brazilian economy and automotive market resulting in lower projected revenue and earnings growth. This non-cash impairment is more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Operating Income (Loss). Operating income (loss) is summarized in the following table by reportable segment (in thousands): 

 

           Dollar   Percent 
           increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31  2015   2014   (decrease)   (decrease) 
Control Devices  $44,690   $35,387   $9,303    26.3%
Electronics   13,784    17,444    (3,660)   (21.0)%
PST   (7,542)   (59,587)   52,045    87.3%
Unallocated corporate   (23,117)   (19,067)   (4,050)   (21.2)%
Operating income (loss)  $27,815   $(25,823)  $53,638    NM 

 

NM – not meaningful

 

Our Control Devices segment operating income increased primarily due to an increase in sales volume, lower material costs, a favorable mix of products sold and product redesign, which were partially offset by higher warranty, SG&A and D&D costs.

 

Our Electronics segment operating income decreased due to a lower gross profit as material costs increased as a result of an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates and $0.3 million of business realignment charges incurred in the current year, which were partially offset by lower SG&A and D&D costs resulting from movement in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our PST segment operating performance improved as 2014 results included a goodwill impairment charge of $51.5 million that was recorded in 2014. Excluding the goodwill impairment, PST’s operating performance improved by $0.5 million due to lower business realignment charges of $1.2 million, which were $0.4 million and $1.6 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively, as price increases, significant material cost reductions achieved from product redesign and new supplier sourcing were more than offset by significantly higher material costs resulting from more unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the prior year.

 

Our unallocated corporate operating loss increased primarily due to higher share-based compensation primarily as a result of the acceleration of the vesting associated with the June 2015 retirement of our President and CEO of $2.2 million, higher incentive-based compensation, higher recruitment costs and business realignment charges of $0.3 million during 2015, which were partially offset by lower professional fees.

 

 22

 

  

Operating income (loss) by geographic location are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

           Dollar   Percent 
           increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31  2015   2014   (decrease)   (decrease) 
North America  $24,620   $22,779   $1,841    8.1%
South America   (7,542)   (59,587)   52,045    (87.3)%
Europe and Other   10,737    10,985    (248)   (2.3)%
Operating income (loss)  $27,815   $(25,823)  $53,638    NM 

 

Our North American operating results increased due to higher sales in the North American automotive and commercial vehicle markets, lower material costs and a favorable change in product mix, which was substantially offset by higher incentive-based and share-based compensation expense. The improved performance in South America was primarily due to the goodwill impairment charge of $51.5 million taken in 2014. Our results in Europe and Other declined slightly as higher material costs and an unfavorable movement in foreign currency exchange rates related to our Electronics segment were offset by higher sales and gross profit in our China automotive market.

 

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net decreased by $10.5 million compared to the prior year primarily due to a lower average debt balance outstanding and a lower weighted-average interest rate. We redeemed our $175.0 million 9.5% senior notes in September and October 2014 using borrowings of $100.0 million on our Credit Facility (which bore annual interest for 2015 of approximately 3.0%), proceeds from the sale of the Wiring business and existing cash.

 

Equity in Earnings of Investee. Equity earnings for Minda decreased to $0.6 million in 2015 from $0.8 million in 2014. While sales increased slightly over the prior year, the increase was more than offset by higher operating and financing costs and was negatively impacted by an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation.

 

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt. The Company recognized debt extinguishment loss of $10.6 million during 2014 due to the redemption of our senior notes and modification of our Credit Facility.  The specific components of the debt extinguishment loss are described in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Other Expense, net. We record certain foreign currency transaction and forward currency hedge contract gains and losses as a component of other expense, net in the consolidated statement of operations. Other expense, net increased by $1.3 million to $1.8 million for 2015 from $0.6 million for 2014 due to increased volatility in certain foreign exchange rates in the current period. Also, the unfavorable foreign currency losses in 2014 were partially offset by a gain of $0.4 million on the termination of the interest rate swap.

  

Income Tax Benefit from Continuing Operations. We recognized an income tax benefit of $(0.5) million and $(1.9) million for federal, state and foreign income taxes for 2015 and 2014, respectively. We continue to assert that it is more-likely-than-not that our U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets will not be realized, and as such we provide a valuation allowance offsetting those deferred tax assets. The decrease in tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period for 2014 was predominantly due to the impact of recording a valuation allowance against PST’s deferred tax assets. The increase in the effective tax rate to (2.7)% in 2015 from (3.5)% in 2014 was primarily due to providing a valuation allowance in 2015 with respect to the deferred tax assets of PST. The impact on the effective rate due to the PST valuation allowance was offset by the impact of the improvement in the performance of our U.S. operations, which do not attract tax due to the full valuation allowance, and the prior year impact of the nondeductible goodwill impairment in 2014 that did not impact the effective tax rate for 2015.

 

 23

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

Consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

                   Dollar 
                   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2014       2013   (decrease) 
Net sales  $660,579    100.0%  $659,486    100.0%  $1,093 
Costs and expenses:                         
Cost of goods sold   469,705    71.1    453,531    68.8    16,174 
Selling, general and administrative   123,630    18.7    123,180    18.7    450 
Design and development   41,609    6.3    40,372    6.1    1,237 
Goodwill impairment   51,458    7.8    -    -    51,458 
                          
Operating income (loss)   (25,823)   (3.9)   42,403    6.4    (68,226)
Interest expense, net   16,880    2.6    18,096    2.7    (1,216)
Equity in earnings of investee   (815)   (0.1)   (476)   (0.1)   (339)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   10,607    1.6    -    -    10,607 
Other expense, net   565    0.1    1,457    0.3    (892)
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations   (53,060)   (8.1)   23,326    3.5    (76,386)
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations   (1,856)   (0.3)   2,797    0.4    (4,653)
Income (loss) from continuing operations   (51,204)   (7.8)   20,529    3.1    (71,733)
Discontinued operations:                         
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (811)   (0.1)   (4,021)   (0.6)   3,210 
Loss on disposal, net of tax   (8,576)   (1.3)   -    -    (8,576)
Loss from discontinued operations   (9,387)   (1.4)   (4,021)   (0.6)   (5,366)
                          
Net income (loss)   (60,591)   (9.2)   16,508    2.5    (77,099)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest   (13,483)   (2.0)   1,377    0.2    (14,860)
Net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $(47,108)   (7.2)%  $15,131    2.3%  $(62,239)

 

Net Sales. Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding inter-segment sales are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

       Dollar   Percent 
                   increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2014       2013   (decrease)   (decrease) 
Control Devices  $306,658    46.4%  $291,145    44.1%  $15,513    5.3%
Electronics   214,141    32.4    189,809    28.8    24,332    12.8%
PST   139,780    21.2    178,532    27.1    (38,752)   (21.7)%
Total net sales  $660,579    100.0%  $659,486    100.0%  $1,093    0.2%

 

 24

 

 

Our Control Devices segment net sales increased due to higher volume primarily in our North American automotive and commercial vehicle markets of $13.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, during 2014 when compared to 2013.

 

Our Electronics segment net sales increased primarily due to higher sales of our European and North American commercial vehicle products each of which increased by $15.6 million. This was a result of higher volume including post-disposition sales to the Wiring business acquired by Motherson of $12.2 million and new product sales for 2014 when compared to 2013. These increases were partially offset by an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation which reduced sales by approximately $7.0 million, or 4.0%.

 

Our PST segment net sales decreased during 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to lower product volume in its OEM, audio and aftermarket channels resulting from weakness in the Brazilian economy and automotive market as well as an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation which reduced sales by approximately $12.7 million, or 7.1%.

 

Net sales by geographic location are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

       Dollar   Percent 
       increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2014       2013   (decrease)   (decrease) 
North America  $330,516    50.0%  $301,592    45.7%  $28,924    9.6%
South America   139,780    21.2    178,532    27.1    (38,752)   (21.7)%
Europe and Other   190,283    28.8    179,362    27.2    10,921    6.1%
Total net sales  $660,579    100.0%  $659,486    100.0%  $1,093    0.2%

 

The increase in North American net sales was primarily attributable to increased sales volume in our North American commercial vehicle and automotive markets of $18.3 million and $13.6 million, respectively. Our decrease in net sales in South America was primarily due to lower PST product sales volume and the negative impact of unfavorable foreign currency translation. Our increase in net sales in Europe and Other was primarily due to increased sales of European commercial vehicle market products of $15.6 million, partially offset by an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation.

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin.  Cost of goods sold increased by 3.6% primarily due to higher material costs. Our material cost as a percentage of net sales increased to 49.2% for 2014 compared to 46.7% for 2013. As a result, our gross margin declined to 28.9% for 2014 compared to 31.2% for 2013. Material costs increased and gross margin declined primarily due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates and an unfavorable mix of products sold in our Electronics and PST segments.

 

Our Control Devices segment gross margin increased slightly due to the benefit of increased sales volume and labor efficiencies.

 

Our Electronics segment gross margin declined despite an increase in sales due to higher material costs resulting from an unfavorable change in certain foreign currency exchange rates and an unfavorable change in mix of products sold.

 

Our PST segment gross margin declined due to lower sales volume, higher material costs due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates and an unfavorable change in mix of products sold as well as an increase in labor costs which included $0.9 million in business realignment costs.

 

Selling, General and Administrative. SG&A expenses increased by $0.5 million for 2014 compared to 2013 due to higher wages and other employee benefits which included business realignment costs in our PST segment of $0.5 million, and higher performance-based compensation, product liability and intellectual property defense costs, which were partially offset by lower SG&A costs in our PST segment as a result of lower sales commissions, foreign currency translation and the implementation of cost savings measures.

 

Design and Development. D&D costs increased by $1.2 million due to higher product development costs in our Controls Devices segment and lower cost reimbursements in our Electronics segment, which were partially offset by lower product development costs in our PST segment.

 

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Goodwill Impairment. A goodwill impairment of $51.5 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to our PST segment.  The impairment was due to lower future sales and earnings growth projections resulting from significant weakening of the Brazilian economy and automotive market. This non-cash impairment is more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Operating Income (Loss). Operating income (loss) is summarized in the following table by reportable segment (in thousands):

 

           Dollar   Percent 
           increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31  2014   2013   (decrease)   (decrease) 
Control Devices  $35,387   $32,331   $3,056    9.5%
Electronics   17,444    20,732    (3,288)   (15.9)%
PST   (59,587)   7,211    (66,798)   NM 
Unallocated corporate   (19,067)   (17,871)   (1,196)   (6.7)%
Operating income (loss)  $(25,823)  $42,403   $(68,226)   (160.9)%

 

NM – not meaningful

 

Our Control Devices segment operating income increased due to an increase in sales volume and labor efficiencies, which were partially offset by higher design and development, SG&A personnel and product liability defense costs.

 

Our Electronics segment operating income decreased despite higher sales due to higher material costs resulting from an unfavorable change in certain foreign exchange rates and an unfavorable change in mix of products sold. Also, operating income decreased as a result of higher design and development, SG&A personnel and intellectual property defense costs.

 

Our PST segment operating performance decreased due to a goodwill impairment charge of $51.5 million, lower sales volume, higher material costs due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates and mix of products sold as well as increased labor costs including business realignment costs of $1.6 million, which were partially offset by lower other sales, general and administrative costs and design and development costs resulting from cost reduction measures implemented.

 

Unallocated corporate operating loss increased primarily due to higher performance-based compensation.

 

Operating income (loss) by geographic location are summarized in the following table (in thousands): 

 

                   Dollar   Percent 
                   increase /   increase / 
Years ended December 31      2014       2013   (decrease)   (decrease) 
North America  $22,779    (88.3)%  $18,538    43.7%  $4,241    22.9%
South America   (59,587)   230.8    7,211    17.0    (66,798)   NM 
Europe and Other   10,985    (42.5)   16,654    39.3    (5,669)   (34.0)%
Operating income (loss)  $(25,823)   100.0%  $42,403    100.0%  $(68,226)   (160.9)%

 

Our North American operating results increased primarily as a result of increased sales in the North American commercial vehicle and automotive markets. The decrease in profitability in South America was primarily due to a PST goodwill impairment charge, lower sales volume, an unfavorable change in mix of products sold, increased labor costs and an unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Our results in Europe and Other were negatively affected by higher material costs from an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates and an unfavorable mix of product sales and higher SG&A expenses substantially all of which related to our Electronics segment.

 

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net decreased by $1.2 million, or 6.7% during 2014 when compared to 2013 primarily due to a lower average debt balance outstanding and a lower weighted-average interest rate. We redeemed our $175.0 million 9.5% senior notes in September and October 2014 using borrowings of $100.0 million on our Credit Facility (which bore annual interest of approximately 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014), proceeds from the sale of the Wiring business and existing cash.

 

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Equity in Earnings of Investee. Equity earnings for Minda increased to $0.8 million from $0.5 million in 2013 primarily due to higher sales, which were partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency translation.

 

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt. The Company recognized debt extinguishment loss of $10.6 million during 2014 due to the redemption of our senior notes and modification of our Credit Facility.  The specific components of the debt extinguishment loss are described in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Other Expense, net. Other expense, net was $0.6 million for 2014 compared to $1.5 million for 2013. We record certain foreign currency transaction and forward currency hedge contract gains and losses as a component of other expense, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Our results for 2014 and 2013 were unfavorably affected by approximately $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, due to the volatility in certain foreign exchange rates. The majority of the unfavorable foreign currency loss for 2014 relates to the currency fluctuation of the Argentinian peso compared to the Brazilian real in our PST segment. The unfavorable foreign currency losses were partially offset by the gain of $0.4 million in 2014 on the termination of our interest rate swap and income of $0.6 million received in 2013 by our PST segment associated with deposits at a financial institution.

  

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations. We recognized income tax expense (benefit) of $(1.9) million and $2.8 million for federal, state and foreign income taxes for 2014 and 2013, respectively. We continue to assert that it is more-likely-than-not that our U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets will not be realized, and therefore we provide a valuation allowance offsetting those deferred tax assets. The decrease in tax expense for 2014 compared to 2013 was predominantly due to the tax benefit recognized on the loss incurred by PST, as adjusted for the non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge. The decrease in the tax expense was partially offset by a discrete tax item related to our foreign operations recorded during the current period. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2014 to (3.5)% compared to 2013 of 12.0% was due to the 2014 recognition of a tax benefit on the PST operating loss which was offset by the impact of the non-tax deductible PST goodwill impairment charge and the discrete tax item discussed above.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Summary of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

           Dollar 
       increase / 
Years ended December 31  2015   2014   (decrease) 
Net cash provided by (used for):               
Operating activities  $54,805   $19,815   $34,990 
Investing activities   (30,370)   45,720    (76,090)
Financing activities   (11,019)   (82,058)   71,039 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (2,076)   (3,281)   1,205 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  $11,340   $(19,804)  $31,144 

 

Cash provided by operating activities, which includes cash flows from the Wiring discontinued operations, increased primarily due to lower working capital required as a result of the sale of the Wiring business in August 2014 of $28.5 million and an increase in net income excluding the impacts of the non-cash PST goodwill impairment, loss on extinguishment of debt and the loss on sale of the Wiring business in 2014 of $10.5 million. Our receivable terms and collections rates have remained consistent between periods presented.

 

Net cash used for investing activities increased due to higher capital expenditures of $4.0 million primarily to support the launch of new products as well as a repayment of excess proceeds received from Motherson of $1.2 million based on the resolution of the working capital and other adjustments associated with the sale of the Wiring business. Also, $71.4 million in cash was received from the sale of the Wiring business in 2014.

 

Net cash used for financing activities decreased primarily due to the fact that in 2015 we had net debt repayments of $8.0 million and repurchases of Common Shares to satisfy tax withholdings of $2.9 million while in 2014 we repurchased $175.0 million of our outstanding senior notes including a redemption premium totaling $183.0 million partially by borrowing $100.0 million on our Credit Facility.

 

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Summary of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

           Dollar 
       increase / 
Years ended December 31  2014   2013   (decrease) 
Net cash provided by (used for):               
Operating activities  $19,815   $43,684   $(23,869)
Investing activities   45,720    (25,237)   70,957 
Financing activities   (82,058)   (503)   (81,555)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (3,281)   326    (3,607)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  $(19,804)  $18,270   $(38,074)

 

The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 was primarily due to higher working capital levels as well as a $6.5 million decrease in net income excluding the impacts of the non-cash PST goodwill impairment and losses on the sale of the Wiring business and early extinguishment of debt. Our receivable terms and collections rates have remained consistent between periods presented.

 

The increase in net cash provided by investing activities for 2014 was due to $71.4 million in cash received from the sale of the Wiring business, which was partially offset by a $0.6 million increase in capital expenditures.

 

The increase in net cash used for financing activities for 2014 was due to the redemption of our senior notes including redemption premium totaling $183.0 million, which was partially offset by net borrowings on our Credit Facility and other debt of $100.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

 

Summary of Future Cash Flows

 

The following table summarizes our future cash outflows resulting from financial contracts and commitments, as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 

       Less than           After 
   Total   1 year   2-3 years   4-5 years   5 years 
Credit Facility  $100,000   $-   $-   $100,000   $- 
Debt   18,363    13,905    2,859    1,296    303 
Operating leases   21,151    4,436    7,012    4,822    4,881 
Total contractual obligations  $139,514   $18,341   $9,871   $106,118   $5,184 

 

Management will continue to focus on minimizing its weighted-average cost of capital and believes that cash flows from operations and the availability of funds from our Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our future growth and operating needs.

 

As outlined in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements, our Credit Facility permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $300.0 million which includes an accordion feature which allows the Company to increase the availability by up to $80.0 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. This variable rate facility provides us with lower borrowing rates than the 9.5% senior notes redeemed in 2014 and provides the flexibility to refinance other outstanding debt or finance acquisitions through September 2019. The Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants that require the Company to maintain less than a maximum leverage ratio and more than a minimum interest coverage ratio. The Credit Facility also contains affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are customary for credit arrangements of this type including covenants which place restrictions and/or limitations on the Company’s ability to borrow money, make capital expenditures and pay dividends. The Credit Facility had an outstanding balance of $100.0 million at December 31, 2015. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2015. The covenants included in our Credit Facility to date have not and are not expected to limit our financing flexibility.

 

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PST maintains several short-term obligations and long-term loans used for working capital purposes. At December 31, 2015, there was $18.0 million outstanding on the PST term loans. The PST loans at December 31, 2015 mature as follows: $13.5 million in 2016, $1.9 million in 2017, $1.0 million in 2018 and 2019 and $0.3 million in 2020 and 2021. 

 

The Company's wholly owned subsidiary located in Stockholm, Sweden, has an overdraft credit line which allows overdrafts on the subsidiary's bank account up to a maximum level of 20.0 million Swedish krona, or $2.4 million, at December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, there were no overdrafts on the bank account.

 

Although the Company's debt and Credit Facility contain various covenants, the violation of which would limit or preclude their use or accelerate the maturity, the Company has not experienced and does not expect these covenants to restrict our financing flexibility. The Company has been and expects to continue to remain in compliance with these covenants during the term of the debt and credit facilities.

 

Our future results could also be adversely affected by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. We have significant foreign denominated transaction exposure in certain countries, especially in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Sweden, Estonia and China. We have entered into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our exposure related to certain foreign currency fluctuations. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details. Our future results could also be unfavorably affected by increased commodity prices as commodity fluctuations impact the cost of our raw material purchases. 

  

At December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $54.4 million, of which $27.9 million was held in the United States and $26.5 million was held in foreign locations. The increase from $43.0 million at December 31, 2014 was primarily due to an improvement in working capital and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for disclosures of the Company’s commitments and contingencies.

 

Seasonality

 

Our Control Devices and Electronics segments are not typically materially affected by seasonality, however the demand for our PST segment consumer products is typically higher in the second half of the year, the fourth quarter in particular. 

 

Inflation and International Presence

 

Given the current economic climate and recent fluctuations in certain commodity prices, we believe that an increase in such items could significantly affect our profitability. Furthermore, by operating internationally, we are affected by foreign currency exchange rates and the economic conditions of certain countries. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details on the Company’s commodity price and foreign currency exchange rate risks.

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At December 31, 2015, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are, in the opinion of management, reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

 

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates and assumptions used in our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe 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 could differ from these estimates.

 

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Our critical accounting policies, those most important to the financial presentation and those that are the most complex, subjective or require significant judgment, are as follows.

 

Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments. We recognize revenues from the sale of products, net of actual and estimated returns of products sold based on historical authorized returns, at the point of passage of title, which is either at the time of shipment or upon customer receipt based on the terms of the sale. We often enter into agreements with our customers at the beginning of a given vehicle’s expected production life. Once such agreements are entered into, it is our obligation to fulfill the customers’ purchasing requirements for the entire production life of the vehicle. These agreements are subject to potential renegotiation from time to time, which may affect product pricing. In certain limited instances, we may be committed under existing agreements to supply products to our customers at selling prices which are not sufficient to cover the direct cost to produce such products. In such situations, we recognize losses immediately. These agreements generally may also be terminated by our customers at any time.

 

On an ongoing basis, we receive blanket purchase orders from our customers, which include pricing terms. Purchase orders do not always specify quantities. We recognize revenue based on the pricing terms included in our purchase orders as our products are shipped to our customers. In certain instances, we may be asked to provide our customers with annual cost reductions as part of certain agreements. In addition, we have ongoing adjustments to our pricing arrangements with our customers based on the related content, the cost of our products and other commercial factors. Such pricing adjustments are recognized as they are negotiated with our customers.

 

Warranties. Our warranty liability is established based on our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle existing and future claims on products sold as of the balance sheet dates. This estimate is based on historical trends of units sold and payment amounts, combined with our current understanding of the status of existing claims. To estimate the warranty liability, we are required to forecast the resolution of existing claims as well as expected future claims on products previously sold. Although we believe that our warranty liability is adequate and that the judgment applied is appropriate, such amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will actually transpire in the future. Our customers are increasingly seeking to hold suppliers responsible for product warranties, which could negatively impact our exposure to these costs.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We have concentrations of sales and trade receivable balances with key customers. Therefore, it is critical that we evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet their financial obligations, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. In addition, we review historical trends for collectability in determining an estimate for our allowance for doubtful accounts. If economic circumstances change substantially, estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to the Company could be reduced by a material amount. We do not have collateral requirements with our customers.

 

Contingencies. We are subject to legal proceedings and claims, including product liability claims, commercial or contractual disputes, environmental enforcement actions and other claims that arise in the normal course of business. We routinely assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, by consulting with internal personnel principally involved with such matters and with our outside legal counsel handling such matters.

 

We have accrued for estimated losses when it is probable that a liability or loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Contingencies by their nature relate to uncertainties that require the exercise of judgment both in assessing whether or not a liability or loss has been incurred and estimating that amount of probable loss. The liabilities may change in the future due to new developments or changes in circumstances. The inherent uncertainty related to the outcome of these matters can result in amounts materially different from any provisions made with respect to their resolution.

 

Inventory Valuation. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the FIFO method for our Electronics and Control Devices segments and average cost method for our PST segment. Where appropriate, standard cost systems are utilized for purposes of determining cost and the standards are adjusted as necessary to approximate actual costs. Estimates of the lower of cost or market value of inventory are determined based upon current economic conditions, historical sales quantities and patterns and, in some cases, the specific risk of loss on specifically identified inventories. We adjust our excess and obsolescence reserve at least on a quarterly basis.  Excess inventories are quantities of items that exceed anticipated sales or usage for a reasonable period.  

 

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Long-Lived and Finite-Lived Assets. We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider important that could trigger our testing of the related asset groups for an impairment include current period operating or cash flow losses combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses, a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses, significant adverse changes in the business climate within a particular business or current expectations that a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. To test for impairment, the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use and disposal of the asset or asset group is compared to its carrying value. An asset group is established by identifying the lowest level of cash flows generated by the group of assets that are largely independent of cash flows of other assets. If cash flows cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, we will determine whether an impairment has occurred for the group of assets for which we can identify projected cash flows. If these undiscounted cash flows are less than their respective carrying values, an impairment charge would be recognized to the extent that the carrying values exceed estimated fair values. The estimation of undiscounted cash flows and fair value requires us to make assumptions regarding future operating results. The results of the impairment testing are dependent on these estimates which require judgment. The occurrence of certain events, including changes in economic and competitive conditions, could impact cash flows eventually realized and management’s ability to accurately assess whether an asset is impaired.

 

Due to lower actual and forecasted financial results from weakness in the Brazilian economy and automotive market, the Company performed an evaluation of PST’s long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014, and concluded that there was no impairment resulting from the decrease in forecasted undiscounted future cash flows.

 

Share-Based Compensation. The estimate for our share-based compensation expense involves a number of assumptions. We believe each assumption used in the valuation is reasonable because it takes into account the experience of the plan and reasonable expectations associated with performance and market based conditions. We estimate volatility and forfeitures based on historical data, future expectations and the expected term of the share-based compensation awards. The assumptions, however, involve inherent uncertainties. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, share-based compensation expense could have varied.

 

Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws and regulations. Our deferred tax assets include, among other items, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods and reduce income taxes payable in those future periods. Our U.S. federal net operating losses, if unused, begin to expire in 2026, the state net operating losses expire at various times and the foreign net operating losses expire at various times or have indefinite expiration dates. Our U.S. federal general business credits, if unused, begin to expire in 2021, and the state and foreign tax credits expire at various times.

 

Accounting standards require that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. This assessment requires significant judgment, and in making this evaluation, the Company considers available positive and negative evidence, including the potential to carryback net operating losses and credits, the future reversal of certain taxable temporary differences, actual and forecasted results, and tax planning strategies that are both prudent and feasible. Risk factors include U.S. and Brazil economic conditions that affect the U.S. and Brazil automotive and commercial vehicle markets of which the Company has significant operations.

 

Reversal of a previously recognized valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense for the period the reversal is recorded.  However, the exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance release are subject to change on the basis of the level of profitability that we are able to actually achieve.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that we would not realize our U.S. deferred tax assets. As a result we provided a full valuation allowance, net of certain future reversing taxable temporary differences, with respect to our U.S. deferred tax assets.  We will continue to maintain a full valuation allowance on our U.S. deferred tax assets until there is sufficient positive evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances.  However, as a result of the sale of the Wiring business and debt refinancing during the second half of 2014 and anticipated future earnings, we believe that there may be a reasonable possibility that sufficient positive evidence could develop within the next 12 months that may allow us to reach a conclusion that some or all of the valuation allowance on our U.S. deferred tax assets will no longer be needed. 

  

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During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that we would not realize our PST segment deferred tax assets. As a result we provided a full valuation allowance, net of certain future reversing taxable temporary differences, with respect to PST’s deferred tax assets. We will continue to maintain a full valuation allowance on PST’s deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of them.

 

We consider the financial reporting basis in excess of tax basis, which includes unremitted earnings, of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for investment in those non-U.S. subsidiaries. Therefore, we have not recorded a deferred tax liability. Specifically with respect to unremitted earnings and the impact of those earnings on the amount of the financial reporting basis in excess of tax basis, if in the future we cannot support that the earnings are indefinitely invested outside the United States, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside the United States (see Note 5).

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016 – 02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which will require that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a lease term of more than twelve months, with the result being the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability.  The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company expects to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2019.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements, which will require right of use assets and lease liabilities be recorded in the consolidated balance sheet for operating leases.  

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 – 17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740),” which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes.  Currently entities are required to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in the balance sheet on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis.  ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred income taxes be classified as noncurrent in the balance sheet. The requirement to apply the jurisdiction by jurisdiction approach will still be required. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 including interim periods within those fiscal years and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 – 16, “Business Combinations,” which simplifies the accounting for measurement-period adjustments related to business combinations. ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in the ASU require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years and is to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company will adopt this standard as of January 1, 2016, which is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 – 11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” which requires that inventory be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Prior to the issuance of the new guidance, inventory was measured at the lower of cost or market. Replacing the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value is intended to reduce cost and complexity. The new accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.  The Company expects to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2017, which is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which is the new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this principle, an entity identifies the contract with a customer, identifies the separate performance obligations in the contract, determines the transaction price, allocates the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and recognizes revenue when each separate performance obligation is satisfied. This ASU allows for both retrospective and prospective methods of adoption.  In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of the standard. As such, the new standard will become effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption on the original effective date permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which amends the current presentation of certain debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, instead of as an asset.  The recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The guidance in ASU 2015-03 did not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance, in June 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, “Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements,” which states that the SEC will not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs related to revolving credit arrangements as an asset and subsequently amortizing them. These amendments are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As permitted by the ASU, the Company adopted these standards in the third quarter of 2015, which had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company has elected to continue to present deferred financing costs related to its Credit Facility, which had balances of $1,428 and $1,767 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, within long-term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Interest Rates

 

We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily from the effects of changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2015, approximately 89.5% of our outstanding debt was floating-rate and 10.5% was fixed-rate. We estimate that a 1.0% change in the interest costs of our floating-rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2015 would change interest expense on an annual basis by approximately $1.0 million.

 

Currency Exchange Rates

 

In addition to the United States, we have significant operations in Europe, South America and Mexico. As a result we are subject to translation risk because our foreign operations are in local currency (particularly the Brazilian real, Mexican peso, euro, Swedish krona and Argentinian peso) must be translated into U.S. dollars. As currency exchange rates fluctuate, the translation of our consolidated statements of operations into U.S. dollars affects the comparability of revenues, expenses, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share between years.

 

We use derivative financial instruments, including foreign currency forward contracts, to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates by reducing the effect of such fluctuations on foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, inventory purchases and other foreign currency exposures.

 

As discussed in detail in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements, we have entered into foreign currency forward contracts the purpose of which is to reduce exposure related to the Company’s euro-denominated receivables as well as to reduce exposure to future Mexican peso-denominated purchases and U.S. dollar purchases by our non-U.S. dollar functional currency European business units. These foreign currency contracts expire throughout 2016. We estimate that a 10.0% unidirectional change in currency exchange rates would result in a change in fair value at December 31, 2015 by approximately $2.4 million. It is important to note that the change in fair value of the foreign currency forward contacts would be partially offset by changes in the underlying exposures being hedged.

 

We estimate that a 10.0% unidirectional change in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar would have changed our income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2015 by approximately $2.3 million.

 

 33

 

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

The competitive marketplace in which we operate may limit our ability to recover increased costs through higher prices. As such, we are subject to market risk with respect to commodity price fluctuations principally related to our purchases of purchase of copper, zinc, resins and certain other commodities through a combination of fixed price agreements, staggered short-term contract maturities and commercial negotiations with our suppliers and customers. In the future, if we believe that the terms of a fixed price agreement become beneficial to us, we will enter into another such instrument. We may also consider pursuing alternative commodities or alternative suppliers to mitigate this risk over a period of time. The volatility in certain commodity costs negatively affected our operating results.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

 

Consolidated Financial Statements:   Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 35
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 36
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 37
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 38
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 39
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 40
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 41
   
Financial Statement Schedule:  
   
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 70

 

 34

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, cash flows and shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule included in Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Stoneridge, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 14, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

  

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Cleveland, Ohio

March 14, 2016

 

 35

 

  

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS        
         
As of December 31 (in thousands)  2015   2014 
         
ASSETS          
           
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $54,361   $43,021 
Accounts receivable, less reserves of $1,066 and $2,017, respectively   94,937    105,102 
Inventories, net   61,009    71,253 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   21,602    26,135 
Total current assets   231,909    245,511 
           
Long-term assets:          
Property, plant and equipment, net   85,264    85,311 
Intangible assets, net and goodwill   36,699    57,715 
Investments and other long-term assets, net   10,380    10,214 
Total long-term assets   132,343    153,240 
Total assets  $364,252   $398,751 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
           
Current liabilities:          
Current portion of debt  $13,905   $19,655 
Accounts payable   55,225    58,593 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   38,920    42,066 
Total current liabilities   108,050    120,314 
           
Long-term liabilities:          
Revolving credit facility   100,000    100,000 
Long-term debt, net   4,458    10,651 
Deferred income taxes   41,332    50,006 
Other long-term liabilities   3,983    3,974 
Total long-term liabilities   149,773    164,631 
           
Shareholders' equity:          
Preferred Shares, without par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued   -    - 
Common Shares, without par value, 60,000 shares authorized, 28,907 and 28,853 shares issued and 27,912 and 28,221 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and  2014, respectively, with no stated value   -    - 
Additional paid-in capital   199,254    192,892 
Common Shares held in treasury, 995 and 632 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, at cost   (4,208)   (1,284)
Accumulated deficit   (32,105)   (54,879)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (69,822)   (45,473)
Total Stoneridge, Inc. shareholders' equity   93,119    91,256 
Noncontrolling interest   13,310    22,550 
Total shareholders' equity   106,429    113,806 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $364,252   $398,751 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 36

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Years ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data)  2015   2014   2013 
             
Net sales  $644,812   $660,579   $659,486 
Costs and expenses:               
Cost of goods sold   467,834    469,705    453,531 
Selling, general and administrative   110,371    123,630    123,180 
Design and development   38,792    41,609    40,372 
Goodwill impairment   -    51,458    - 
Operating income (loss)   27,815    (25,823)   42,403 
Interest expense, net   6,365    16,880    18,096 
Equity in earnings of investee   (608)   (815)   (476)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   -    10,607    - 
Other expense, net   1,828    565    1,457 
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations   20,230    (53,060)   23,326 
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations   (547)   (1,856)   2,797 
Income (loss) from continuing operations   20,777    (51,204)   20,529 
Discontinued operations:               
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   -    (811)   (4,021)
Loss on disposal, net of tax   (210)   (8,576)   - 
Loss from discontinued operations   (210)   (9,387)   (4,021)
Net income (loss)   20,567    (60,591)   16,508 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest   (2,207)   (13,483)   1,377 
Net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $22,774   $(47,108)  $15,131 
                
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations               
attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:               
Basic  $0.84   $(1.40)  $0.72 
Diluted  $0.82   $(1.40)  $0.70 
Loss per share attributable to discontinued operations:               
Basic  $(0.01)  $(0.35)  $(0.15)
Diluted  $(0.01)  $(0.35)  $(0.14)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:               
Basic  $0.83   $(1.75)  $0.57 
Diluted  $0.81   $(1.75)  $0.56 
Weighted-average shares outstanding:               
Basic   27,338    26,924    26,671 
Diluted   27,959    26,924    27,193 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 37

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

Years ended December 31 (in thousands)  2015   2014   2013 
             
Net income (loss)  $20,567   $(60,591)  $16,508 
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest   (2,207)   (13,483)   1,377 
Net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.   22,774    (47,108)   15,131 
                
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:               
Foreign currency translation   (24,693)   (15,268)   (17,925)
Benefit plan liability   (45)   141    - 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives   389    112    (2,251)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.   (24,349)   (15,015)   (20,176)
                
Comprehensive loss attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  $(1,575)  $(62,123)  $(5,045)

 

The Company has combined comprehensive loss from continuing operations and comprehensive loss from discontinued operations herein.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 38

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Years ended December 31 (in thousands)  2015   2014   2013 
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:               
Net income (loss)  $20,567   $(60,591)  $16,508 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Depreciation   18,964    24,372    28,989 
Amortization, including accretion of debt discount   3,833    5,709    6,236 
Deferred income taxes   (2,165)   (3,238)   (3,081)
Earnings of equity method investee   (608)   (815)   (476)
Loss on sale of fixed assets   74    110    189 
Share-based compensation expense   7,224    5,406    4,974 
Goodwill impairment   -    51,458    - 
Loss on disposal of Wiring business   210    8,576      
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   -    10,607    - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of business acquisition:               
Accounts receivable, net   (489)   (19,400)   4,122 
Inventories, net   (4,340)   3,161    (23,646)
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (295)   (1,306)   (2,585)
Accounts payable   6,577    524    9,485 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   5,253    (4,758)   2,969 
Net cash provided by operating activities   54,805    19,815    43,684 
                
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:               
Capital expenditures   (28,735)   (24,754)   (25,344)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets   64    110    107 
Proceeds from (payments related to) sale of Wiring business   (1,230)   71,386    - 
Business acquisition   (469)   (1,022)   - 
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities   (30,370)   45,720    (25,237)
                
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:               
Revolving credit facility borrowings   -    100,000    - 
Revolving credit facility payments   -    -    (1,160)
Extinguishment of senior notes   -    (175,000)   - 
Premium related to early extinguishment of senior notes   -    (8,006)   - 
Proceeds from issuance of debt   22,540    30,072    25,555 
Repayments of debt   (30,586)   (25,610)   (24,382)
Noncontrolling interest shareholder distribution   -    (1,083)   - 
Other financing costs   (49)   (1,666)   - 
Repurchase of Common Shares to satisfy employee tax withholding   (2,924)   (765)   (516)
Net cash used for financing activities   (11,019)   (82,058)   (503)
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (2,076)   (3,281)   326 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   11,340    (19,804)   18,270 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   43,021    62,825    44,555 
                
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $54,361   $43,021   $62,825 
                
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:               
Cash paid for interest  $6,092   $20,464   $18,634 
Cash paid for income taxes, net  $2,494   $3,054   $6,426 
                
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities:               
Change in fair value of interest rate swap  $-   $(793)  $(1,419)
Bank payment of vendor payables under short-term debt obligations  $5,323   $4,758   $- 

 

The Company has combined cash flows from continuing operations and cash flows from discontinued operations within the operating, investing and financing categories.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

 

 39

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY    
                                 
(in thousands)  Number of  Common Shares outstanding   Number of treasury shares   Additional paid-in capital   Common Shares held in treasury   Accumulated deficit   Accumulated other comprehensive loss   Noncontrolling interest   Total shareholders' equity 
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2013   27,913    520   $184,822   $(1,885)  $(22,902)  $(10,282)  44,081   $193,834 
Net income   -    -    -    -    15,131    -    1,377    16,508 
Unrealized loss on derivatives   -    -    -    -    -    (2,251)   -    (2,251)
Currency translation adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    (17,925)   (5,706)   (23,631)
PST dividends   -    -    -    -    -    -    (212)   (212)
Issuance of restricted Common Shares   883    (513)   (1,882)   1,882    -    -    -    - 
Forfeited restricted Common Shares   (233)   233    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Repurchased Common Shares for treasury   (80)   80    -    (516)   -    -    -    (516)
Share-based compensation   -    -    4,802    -    -    -    -    4,802 
                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2013   28,483    320    187,742    (519)   (7,771)   (30,458)   39,540    188,534 
                                         
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (47,108)   -    (13,483)   (60,591)
Benefit plan liability adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    141    -    141 
Unrealized gain on derivatives   -    -    -    -    -    112    -    112 
Currency translation adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    (15,268)   (3,507)   (18,775)
Issuance of restricted Common Shares   50    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Forfeited restricted Common Shares   (238)   238    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Repurchased Common Shares for treasury   (74)   74    -    (765)   -    -    -    (765)
Share-based compensation   -    -    5,150    -    -    -    -    5,150 
                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2014   28,221    632    192,892    (1,284)   (54,879)   (45,473)   22,550    113,806 
Net income (loss)   -    -    -    -    22,774    -    (2,207)   20,567 
Benefit plan liability adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    (45)   -    (45)
Unrealized gain on derivatives   -    -    -    -    -    389    -    389 
Currency translation adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    (24,693)   (7,033)   (31,726)
Issuance of restricted Common Shares   172    (118)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Forfeited restricted Common Shares   (239)   239    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Repurchased Common Shares for treasury   (242)   242    -    (2,924)   -    -    -    (2,924)
Share-based compensation   -    -    6,362    -    -    -    -    6,362 
                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2015   27,912    995   $199,254   $(4,208)  $(32,105)  $(69,822)  $13,310   $106,429 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 40

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

1. Organization and Nature of Business

 

Stoneridge, Inc. and its subsidiaries are global designers and manufacturers of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stoneridge, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company analyzes its ownership interests in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 (Consolidations) to determine whether they are VIE’s and, if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary.  

 

The Company’s investment in Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd. (“Minda”) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was determined to be an unconsolidated entity, and therefore was accounted for under the equity method of accounting based on our 49% ownership.

 

The Company had a 74% controlling interest in PST Eletrônica Ltda. (“PST”) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 which was accounted for a consolidated subsidiary.

 

The Company sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Wiring business on August 1, 2014. As a result, the Wiring business has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the Company’s financial statements herein, and therefore has been excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. The Wiring business designed and manufactured wiring harness products and assembled instruments panels for sale principally to the commercial, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

 

Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including certain self-insured risks and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because actual results could differ from those estimates, the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are actively traded money market funds with short-term investments in marketable securities, primarily U.S. government securities. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, due to the highly liquid nature and short-term duration of the underlying securities.

 

Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Revenues are principally generated from the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. The Company’s largest customers were Ford Motor Company and Scania Group, primarily related to the Control Devices and Electronics reportable segments, respectively, and accounted for the following percentages of consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Ford Motor Company   14%   11%   10%
Scania Group   7%   8%   8%

 

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoice price, net of an estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts and other reserves.

 

 41

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. Additionally, the Company reviews historical trends for collectability in determining an estimate for its allowance for doubtful accounts. If economic circumstances change substantially, estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to the Company could be reduced by a material amount. The Company does not have collateral requirements with its customers.

 

Sales of Accounts Receivable

 

The Company’s PST segment sells selected accounts receivable on a full recourse basis to an unrelated financial institution in Brazil. PST accounts for these transactions as sales of accounts receivable. As such, in accordance with ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing”, the sales of accounts receivable are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheets and the loss on sale is recorded within interest expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations while the proceeds received from the sale are included in the cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

During 2015 PST sold $6,401 (24,994 Brazilian real) of accounts receivable at a loss of $156 (540 Brazilian real), which represents the implicit interest on the transaction, and received proceeds of $6,245 (24,454 Brazilian real). PST has a remaining credit exposure of $2,657 (10,376 Brazilian real) at December 31, 2015 related to the receivables sold for which payment from the customer was not yet due.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (using either the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods) or market. The Company evaluates and adjusts as necessary its excess and obsolescence reserve on a quarterly basis. Excess inventories are quantities of items that exceed anticipated sales or usage for a reasonable period. The Company has guidelines for calculating provisions for excess inventories based on the number of months of inventories on hand compared to anticipated sales or usage. Management uses its judgment to forecast sales or usage and to determine what constitutes a reasonable period. Inventory cost includes material, labor and overhead. Inventories consist of the following:

 

As of December 31  2015   2014 
Raw materials  $36,021   $41,767 
Work-in-progress   7,162    8,779 
Finished goods   17,826    20,707 
Total inventories, net  $61,009   $71,253 

 

Inventory valued using the FIFO method was $35,378 and $34,636 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Inventory valued using the average cost method was $25,631 and $36,617 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Pre-production Costs Related to Long-term Supply Arrangements

 

Engineering, research and development and other design and development costs for products sold on long-term supply arrangements are expensed as incurred unless the Company has a contractual guarantee for reimbursement from the customer. Costs for molds, dies and other tools used to make products sold on long-term supply arrangements for which the Company either has title to the assets or has the noncancelable right to use the assets during the term of the supply arrangement are capitalized in property, plant and equipment and amortized to cost of sales over the shorter of the term of the arrangement or over the estimated useful lives of the assets, typically three to five years. Costs for molds, dies and other tools used to make products sold on long-term supply arrangements for which the Company has a contractual guarantee to a lump sum reimbursement from the customer are capitalized as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets within the consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized pre-production costs were $9,405 and $10,067 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 42

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Wiring Business

 

On May 26, 2014, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the former Wiring segment to Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd., an India-based manufacturer of diversified products for the global automotive industry and a limited company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of India, and MSSL (GB) LIMITED, a limited company incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom (collectively, “Motherson”), for $65,700 in cash and the assumption of certain related liabilities of the Wiring business.

 

On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Wiring business to Motherson for $71,386 in cash that consisted of the stated purchase price and estimated working capital on the closing date. The final purchase price was subject to post-closing working capital and other adjustments. Upon the final resolution of the working capital and other adjustments in the second quarter of 2015, the Company returned $1,230 in cash to Motherson.

 

The Company recorded a loss on disposal, net of tax of $8,576 for the year ended December 31, 2014 which included the recognition of previously deferred foreign currency translation of $2,734, income tax on the sale of Wiring’s Mexican businesses of $1,621 and transaction costs of $1,384.

 

The Company also entered into short-term transition services agreements with Motherson substantially all of which concluded in the second quarter of 2015 associated with information systems, accounting, administrative, occupancy and support services as well as contract manufacturing and production support in Estonia.

 

The Company had post-disposition sales to the Wiring business acquired by Motherson of $26,952 and $12,230 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company had post-disposition purchases from the Wiring business acquired by Motherson of $689 and $269 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amounts related to 2014 cover the period from August through December 2014 as the sale of the Wiring business occurred on August 1, 2014.

 

The following tables display summarized activity in our consolidated statements of operations for discontinued operations during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, related to the Wiring business.

 

Years ended December 31  2015   2014 (A)   2013 
Net sales  $-   $167,434   $288,344 
Cost of goods sold (C)   -    154,787    268,278 
Selling, general and administrative (C)   -    12,697    22,765 
Interest expense, net   -    69    250 
Other expense, net   -    (58)   (357)
Loss from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes (C) (D)   -    (61)   (2,592)
Income tax expense on discontinued operations   -    (750)   (1,429)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   -    (811)   (4,021)
                
Loss on disposal (B)   (241)   (6,955)   - 
Income tax expense on gain (loss) on disposal (E)   31    (1,621)   - 
Loss on disposal, net of tax   (210)   (8,576)   - 
                
Loss from discontinued operations  $(210)  $(9,387)  $(4,021)

 

 

 43

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

(A)The operations of the Wiring business were presented only for the seven months ended July 31, 2014 as the sale was completed on August 1, 2014.

 

(B)Included in loss on disposal for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were transaction costs of $223 and $1,384, respectively. The loss on disposal also includes a working capital and other adjustments of $18 for the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the loss on disposal included $2,734 in previously deferred foreign currency translation for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(C)The assets and liabilities of the Wiring business were reclassified as held for sale effective May 26, 2014. Accordingly, depreciation and amortization for the related Wiring assets were not recorded after that date.

 

(D)Management fees, which had been reported in the Wiring business in prior periods, of $7,482 for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been excluded as they were not directly attributable to the business.

 

(E)Gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement related to income taxes were included as a component of income tax (expense) benefit.

  

Years ended December 31    2014   2013 
Depreciation and amortization    $2,111   $4,978 
Capital expenditures     1,238    3,768 

 

Predisposition intercompany sales to the Wiring business were $17,448 and $25,353 for the periods ended July 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Predisposition intercompany purchases from the Wiring business were $4,025 and $7,593 for the periods ended July 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and consist of the following:

 

 

As of December 31  2015   2014 
Land and land improvements  $3,538   $4,036 
Buildings and improvements   32,904    34,517 
Machinery and equipment   160,721    154,204 
Office furniture and fixtures   6,541    6,247 
Tooling   68,101    67,135 
Information technology   24,035    22,132 
Vehicles   422    65 
Leasehold improvements   2,581    2,207 
Construction in progress   23,914    16,933 
   Total property, plant, and equipment   322,757    307,476 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (237,493)   (222,165)
   Property, plant and equipment, net  $85,264   $85,311 

 

 44

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $18,829, $22,299 and $24,099, respectively. Depreciable lives within each property classification are as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements     10-40 years
Machinery and equipment     3-10 years
Office furniture and fixtures     3-10 years
Tooling     2-5 years
Information technology     3-5 years
Vehicles     3-5 years
Leasehold improvements shorter of lease term or 3-10 years

 

Maintenance and repair expenditures that are not considered improvements and do not extend the useful life of the property, plant and equipment are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements and major renewals are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on the disposition is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived or Finite-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important that could trigger testing of the related asset groups for an impairment include current period operating or cash flow losses combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses, a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses, significant adverse changes in the business climate within a particular business or current expectations that a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. To test for impairment, the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use and disposal of the asset or asset group is compared to its carrying value. An asset group is established by identifying the lowest level of cash flows generated by the group of assets that are largely independent of cash flows of other assets. If cash flows cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, we will determine whether an impairment has occurred for the group of assets for which we can identify projected cash flows. If these undiscounted cash flows are less than their respective carrying values, an impairment charge would be recognized to the extent that the carrying values exceed estimated fair values. The estimation of undiscounted cash flows and fair value requires us to make assumptions regarding future operating results over the life of the asset or the life of the primary asset in the asset group. The results of the impairment testing are dependent on these estimates which require judgment. The occurrence of certain events, including changes in economic and competitive conditions, could impact cash flows eventually realized and management’s ability to accurately assess whether an asset is impaired.

 

Due to the lower actual and forecasted financial results from weakness in the Brazilian economy and automotive market, the Company performed an evaluation of PST’s long-lived assets in 2015 and 2014, and concluded that the carrying amount of the asset group was recoverable as the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group exceeded its carrying amount.

 

There we no material impairment charges recorded for long-lived or finite-lived intangible assets in 2015, 2014 or 2013.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill

 

The total purchase price associated with acquisitions is allocated to the acquisition date fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the excess purchase price assigned to goodwill. Goodwill is subject to an annual assessment for impairment (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) by applying a fair value-based test.

 

The Company recorded goodwill related to the acquisition of controlling interest in PST in 2011, all of which was deemed to be impaired in 2014. The remaining goodwill balance at December 31, 2015 and 2014 relates to the acquisition of two European aftermarket distributors, which is included within the Electronics segment.

 

The carrying amount of goodwill related to our Electronics segment decreased by $97 for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $981 due to foreign currency translation.

 

 45

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Goodwill and changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the year then ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:

 

       Control         
   Electronics   Devices   PST   Total 
Balance at January 1, 2014  $604   $-   $53,744   $54,348 
Acquisition of aftermarket business   664    -    -    664 
Goodwill impairment   -         (51,458)   (51,458)
Currency translation   (190)   -    (2,286)   (2,476)
Balance at December 31, 2014  $1,078    -   $-   $1,078 

 

The Company’s cumulative goodwill impairment loss since inception was $300,083 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition to PST’s 2014 goodwill impairment, the cumulative goodwill impairment loss includes the goodwill impairment recorded by the Company’s Control Devices segment in 2008 and 2004.

 

PST Goodwill Impairment Assessments

 

The Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment test for its majority owned subsidiary, PST Eletrônica Ltda. (“PST”) on October 1, 2013 without a need to expand the impairment test to “step two” of ASC 350 as PST’s calculated fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10% and no indicators of impairment were identified as disclosed in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K.

 

During the second quarter of 2014, however, indicators of potential impairment required the Company to conduct an interim impairment test. Those indicators included a decline in recent operating results and lower growth expectations primarily due to the weakening of the Brazilian economy and automotive market. In accordance with ASC 350, the Company completed “step one” of the impairment analysis and concluded that, as of June 30, 2014, the fair value of the PST reportable segment was below its carrying value, including goodwill. As a result, “step two” of the impairment test was initiated in accordance with ASC 350. The Company recorded its best estimate of $29,300 as a non-cash goodwill impairment charge (of which $6,436 was attributable to noncontrolling interest) as of June 30, 2014. Based on the Company’s completed “step two” analysis in the third quarter of 2014, the final goodwill impairment as of June 30, 2014 was $23,498 (of which $5,162 was attributable to noncontrolling interest). As such, the Company recorded an adjustment to reduce the goodwill impairment by $5,802 (of which $1,274 was attributable to noncontrolling interest) as of September 30, 2014.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment test for PST and completed “step one” of the impairment test concluding that as of October 1, 2014 the fair value of the PST reportable segment was less than its carrying value, including goodwill. PST’s fair value decreased further due to significantly lower sales and earnings growth expectations which were a result of lower forecasted growth in the Brazilian economy and automotive market and a forecasted decline in currency exchange rates thereby increasing PST’s material costs. Based on the completed “step two” analysis, a goodwill impairment charge of $27,960 (of which $6,142 was attributable to noncontrolling interest) was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014 which represented all of the remaining PST goodwill. The aggregate goodwill impairment for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $51,458 (of which $11,304 was attributable to noncontrolling interest).

 

The fair value measurement of the reporting unit under the “step one” analysis and the “step two” analysis (a non-recurring fair value measure) in their entirety are classified as Level 3 inputs. The estimates and assumptions underlying the fair value calculations used in the Company's impairment test are uncertain by their nature and can vary significantly from actual results. Factors that management must estimate include, but are not limited to, industry and market conditions, sales volume and pricing, raw material costs, capital expenditures, working capital changes, cost of capital, debt-equity mix and tax rates. The estimates and assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value calculation are sales volume and the associated cash flow assumptions, market growth and weighted average cost of capital. The estimates and assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are consistent with those the Company uses in its internal planning.

 

The “step two” of the PST goodwill impairment test utilized the following methodologies in determining fair value. Buildings and machinery were valued at an estimated replacement cost for an asset of comparable age and condition. PST finite lived identified intangible assets are customer relationships, tradenames and technology. Customer relationships were valued using an excess earnings method, using various inputs such as the estimated customer attrition rate, future earnings forecast, the amount of contributory asset charges, and a discount rate. Tradenames and technology intangibles are valued using a relief from royalty method, which is based upon comparable market royalty rates for tradenames of similar value. Other working capital items are generally recorded at carrying value, unless there were known conditions that would impact the ultimate settlement amount of a particular item.

 

 46

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

  

Other Intangible Assets

 

Other intangible assets, net at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:

 

 

   Acquisition   Accumulated     
As of December 31, 2015  cost   amortization   Net 
Customer lists  $23,003   $(6,101)  $16,902 
Tradenames   15,129    (3,043)   12,086 
Technology   9,066    (2,336)   6,730 
Other   34    (34)   - 
Total  $47,232   $(11,514)  $35,718 

  

   Acquisition   Accumulated     
As of December 31, 2014  cost   amortization   Net 
Customer lists  $33,686   $(6,687)  $26,999 
Tradenames   22,224    (3,338)   18,886 
Technology   13,327    (2,575)   10,752 
Other   50    (50)   - 
Total  $69,287   $(12,650)  $56,637 

 

Other intangible assets, net at December 31, 2015 include customer lists, tradenames and technology of $16,602, $12,067 and $6,730, respectively, related to the PST segment with the remaining amounts related to the Electronics segment.

 

The Company recognized $3,445, $4,784 and $5,187 of amortization expense in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense is included as a component of selling, general and administrative on the consolidated statements of operations. Annual amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $3,000 for the years 2016 through 2021. The weighted-average remaining amortization period is approximately 13 years.

 

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

  

As of December 31  2015   2014 
Compensation related liabilities  $17,878   $17,431 
Product warranty and recall obligations   4,446    6,397 
Other (A)   16,596    18,238 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities  $38,920   $42,066 

 

(A) “Other” is comprised of miscellaneous accruals, none of which individually contributed a significant portion of the total.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not to occur. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

 47

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that these assets are more-likely-than-not to be realized (See Note 5). In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. Reversal of some or all of a valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense for the period the reversal is recorded.

 

The Company's policy is to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management's assessment of whether a tax benefit is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At December 31, 2015, the Company believes it has appropriately accounted for any unrecognized tax benefits (see Note 5). To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the Company's effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected.

 

Currency Translation

 

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for the results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Foreign currency transactions are remeasured into the functional currency using translation rates in effect at the time of the transaction with the resulting adjustments included on the consolidated statements of operations within other expense, net. These foreign currency transaction losses, including the impact of hedging activities, were $1,693, $1,212 and $2,109 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments

 

The Company recognizes revenues from the sale of products, net of actual and estimated returns, at the point of passage of title, which is either at the time of shipment or upon customer receipt based upon the terms of the sale. The Company recognizes monitoring service revenues as the services are provided to customers. The Company collects certain taxes and fees on behalf of government agencies and remits such collections on a periodic basis. The taxes are collected from customers but are not included in net sales. Estimated returns are based on historical authorized returns. The Company often enters into agreements with its customers at the beginning of a given vehicle’s expected production life. Once such agreements are entered into, it is the Company’s obligation to fulfill the customers’ purchasing requirements for the entire production life of the vehicle. These agreements are subject to potential renegotiation from time to time, which may affect product pricing.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

 

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Product Warranty and Recall Reserves

 

Amounts accrued for product warranty and recall claims are established based on the Company's best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle existing and future claims on products sold as of the balance sheet dates. These accruals are based on several factors including past experience, production changes, industry developments and various other considerations including insurance coverage. The Company can provide no assurances that it will not experience material claims or that it will not incur significant costs to defend or settle such claims beyond the amounts accrued or beyond what the Company may recover from its suppliers. The current portion of the product warranty and recall reserve is included as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Product warranty and recall includes $1,973 and $1,204 of a long-term liability at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is included as a component of other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

 48

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

The following provides a reconciliation of changes in the product warranty and recall reserve:

  

Years ended December 31  2015   2014 
Product warranty and recall at beginning of period  $7,601   $6,414 
Accruals for products shipped during period   4,609    4,484 
Aggregate changes in pre-existing liabilities due to claim developments   (156)   692 
Settlements made during the period   (5,635)   (3,989)
Product warranty and recall at end of period  $6,419   $7,601 

 

Design and Development Costs

 

Expenses associated with the development of new products, and changes to existing products are charged to expense as incurred, and are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as a separate component of costs and expenses. These product development costs amounted to $38,792, $41,609 and $40,372 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, or 6.0%, 6.3% and 6.1% of net sales for these respective periods.

 

Research and Development Activities

 

The Company’s Electronics segment enters into research and development contracts with certain customers, which generally provide for reimbursement of costs. The Company incurred and was reimbursed for contracted research and development costs of $9,659, $12,319 and $16,982 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

At December 31, 2015, the Company had two types of share-based compensation plans: (1) Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, for employees and (2) the Amended Directors’ Restricted Shares Plan, for non-employee directors. The Long-Term Incentive Plan is made up of the Long-Term Incentive Plan that was approved by the Company's shareholders on September 30, 1997, which expired on June 30, 2007, and the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, that was approved by shareholders on May 17, 2010, and expires on April 24, 2016. 

 

Total compensation expense recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $7,224, including $2,225 from the accelerated vesting in connection with the retirement of the Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer, $5,406 and $4,974 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Of these amounts, $828, $243 and $155 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were related to the Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan “Phantom Shares” discussed in Note 8. There was no share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory during 2015, 2014 or 2013.

 

Financial Instruments and Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, held by the Company include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt, an interest rate swap, fixed price commodity contracts and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable is considered to be representative of fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. See Note 9 for fair value disclosures of the Company’s financial instruments.

 

Common Shares Held in Treasury

 

The Company accounts for Common Shares held in treasury under the cost method (applied on a FIFO basis) and includes such shares as a reduction of total shareholders’ equity.

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share was calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive Common Shares that were outstanding during the periods presented.  However, for all periods in which the Company recognized a net loss from continuing operations, the Company did not recognize the effect of the potential dilutive securities as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

 49

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

  

Actual weighted-average Common Shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted net income (loss) per share were as follows:

  

Years ended December 31  2015   2014   2013 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding   27,337,954    26,923,809    26,670,501 
Effect of dilutive securities   621,208    -    522,984 
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding   27,959,162    26,923,809    27,193,485 

  

There were no outstanding options at December 31, 2015 and 2014. Options to purchase 20,000 Common Shares at a price of $15.73 per share were outstanding at December 31, 2013 but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their respective exercise prices were greater than the average closing market price of Company Common Shares and the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

There were 134,250, 466,650 and 663,750 performance-based restricted Common Shares outstanding at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were also 573,885 and 374,400 performance-based right to receive Common Shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014. These performance-based restricted and right to receive Common Shares are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share based on the number of Common Shares that would be issuable if the end of the year were the end of the contingency period. Restricted and right to receive Common Shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014 as the Company had a net loss from continuing operations that year, and as such they would be anti-dilutive.

 

Deferred Finance Costs

 

Deferred finance costs are amortized over the life of the related financial instrument using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. The 2.5% discount to the initial purchasers of the Company’s senior notes was accreted using the effective interest rate of 10.0% through October 18, 2014, the date the senior notes were redeemed. During 2014, the Company redeemed the senior notes resulting in the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs of $597 which were included in loss on early extinguishment of debt in the statement of operations in 2014. Deferred finance cost amortization and debt discount accretion for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $388, $850 and $908, respectively, and is included as a component of interest expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, deferred financing costs, net, all of which are associated with the revolving credit facility, were $1,428 and $1,767, respectively, and were included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of investments and other long-term assets, net.

 

 50

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

   Foreign   Unrealized   Benefit     
   currency   gain (loss)   plan     
   translation   on derivatives   liability   Total 
Balance at January 1, 2015  $(45,603)  $1   $129   $(45,473)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications   (24,693)   (671)   (45)   (25,409)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss   -    1,060    -    1,060 
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (24,693)   389    (45)   (24,349)
Balance at December 31, 2015  $(70,296)  $390   $84   $(69,822)
                     
Balance at January 1, 2014  $(30,335)  $(111)  $(12)  $(30,458)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications   (18,002)   (454)   -    (18,456)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss   2,734    566    141    3,441 
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (15,268)   112    141    (15,015)
Balance at December 31, 2014  $(45,603)  $1   $129   $(45,473)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted as of December 31, 2015

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016 – 02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which will require that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a lease term of more than twelve months, with the result being the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability.  The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company expects to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2019.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements, which will require right of use assets and lease liabilities be recorded in the consolidated balance sheet for operating leases.  

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 – 17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740),” which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes.  Currently entities are required to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in the balance sheet.  ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred income taxes be classified as noncurrent in the balance sheet. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 including interim periods within those fiscal years and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 – 16, “Business Combinations,” which simplifies the accounting for measurement-period adjustments related to business combinations. ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in the ASU require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years and is to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company will adopt this standard as of January 1, 2016, which is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” which requires that inventory be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Prior to the issuance of the new guidance, inventory was measured at the lower of cost or market. Replacing the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value is intended to reduce cost and complexity. The new accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.  The Company expects to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2017, which is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 

 51

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which is the new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this principle, an entity identifies the contract with a customer, identifies the separate performance obligations in the contract, determines the transaction price, allocates the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and recognizes revenue when each separate performance obligation is satisfied. This ASU allows for both retrospective and prospective methods of adoption.  In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of the standard. As such, the new standard will become effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption on the original effective date permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which amends the current presentation of certain debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, instead of as an asset.  The recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The guidance in ASU 2015-03 did not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance, in June 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, “Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements,” which states that the SEC will not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs related to revolving credit arrangements as an asset and subsequently amortizing them. These amendments are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As permitted by the ASU, the Company adopted these standards in the third quarter of 2015, which had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company has elected to continue to present deferred financing costs related to its revolving credit facility, which had balances of $1,428 and $1,767 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, within long-term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

3. Investments

 

Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd.

 

The Company has a 49% interest in Minda, a company based in India that manufactures electronics, instrumentation equipment and sensors for the motorcycle and commercial vehicle markets. The investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investment in Minda, recorded as a component of investments and other long-term assets, net on the consolidated balance sheets, was $6,929 and $6,653 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Equity in earnings of Minda included in the consolidated statements of operations was $608, $815 and $476 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

PST Eletrônica Ltda.

 

The Company has a 74% controlling interest in PST for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Noncontrolling interest in PST decreased by $9,240 to $13,310 at December 31, 2015 due to a proportionate share of its net loss of $2,207 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation of $7,033. Noncontrolling interest in PST decreased by $16,990 to $22,550 at December 31, 2014 due to a proportionate share of its net loss of $13,483 including goodwill impairment for the year ended December 31, 2014 and an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation of $3,507. Noncontrolling interest in PST decreased by $4,541 for the year ended December 31, 2013 due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation of $5,706 and a dividend of $212 partially offset by a proportionate share of its net income of $1,377.

 

 52

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

  

Comprehensive loss related to PST noncontrolling interest was $9,240, $16,990 and $4,329 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

PST has dividends payable declared in previous years to noncontrolling interest of $10,842 Brazilian real ($2,777) and $10,842 Brazilian real ($4,082) at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

4. Debt

 

       Interest rates at     
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,     
   2015   2014   2015   Maturity 
Revolving Credit Facility                    
Credit facility  $100,000   $100,000    1.86%   September 2019 
                     
Debt                    
PST short-term obligations   11,556    11,249    5.5% - 19.31%   2016 
PST long-term notes   6,428    16,770    6.17% - 8.0%   2016 - 2021 
Suzhou note   -    1,450    N/A    April 2015 
Other   379    837           
Total debt   18,363    30,306           
Less: current portion   (13,905)   (19,655)          
Total long-term debt, net  $4,458   $10,651           
                     

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On November 2, 2007, the Company entered into an asset-based credit facility which permitted borrowing up to a maximum level of $100,000. The Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement and a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement on September 20, 2010 and December 1, 2011, respectively.

 

On September 12, 2014, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Agreement” or “Credit Facility”). The Amended Agreement provides for a $300,000 revolving credit facility, which replaced the Company’s existing $100,000 asset-based credit facility and includes a letter of credit subfacility, swing line subfacility and multicurrency subfacility. The Amended Agreement also has an accordion feature which allows the Company to increase the availability by up to $80,000 upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Amended Agreement extended the termination date to September 12, 2019 from December 1, 2016. In 2014, the Company capitalized $1,666 of deferred financing costs and recognized a $100 loss on extinguishment of previously recorded deferred financing costs associated with the Amended Agreement. On March 26, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Amended Agreement which amended the definition of Consolidated EBITDA to allow for the add back of cash premiums and other non-cash charges related to the amendment and restatement of the Amended Agreement and the early extinguishment of the Company’s 9.5% Senior Notes totaling $10,507 both of which occurred in second half of 2014. Consolidated EBITDA is used in computing the Company’s leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio which are covenants within the Amended Agreement. On February 23, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Amended Agreement which amended and waived any default or potential defaults with respect to the pledging as collateral additional shares issued by a wholly owned subsidiary and newly issued shares associated with the formation of a new subsidiary.

 

Borrowings under the Amended Agreement bear interest at either the Base Rate, as defined, or the LIBOR Rate, at the Company’s option, plus the applicable margin as set forth in the Amended Agreement. The Company is also subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The agreement governing our Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and places a maximum annual limit on capital expenditures. The Amended Agreement also contains other affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are customary for credit arrangements of this type including covenants which place restrictions and/or limitations on the Company’s ability to borrow money, make capital expenditures and pay dividends. Borrowings outstanding on the Credit Facility at both December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $100,000.

 

The Company was in compliance with all Credit Facility covenants at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

 53

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Debt

 

On October 4, 2010, the Company issued $175,000 of senior notes which bore interest at an annual rate of 9.5% and had a maturity of October 15, 2017. On September 2, 2014, the Company redeemed $17,500 or 10.0%, of its senior notes at a price of 103.0% of the principal amount. As a result of the redemption, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $820 in the third quarter of 2014, which included a premium of $525 and the acceleration of both the associated deferred financing costs and original issue discount totaling $295.

 

On October 15, 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining $157,500 of its senior notes at a price of 104.75% of the principal amount discharging the corresponding senior notes indenture. As a result of the redemption, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $9,687 in the fourth quarter of 2014, which included a premium of $7,481 and the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs of $535, original issue discount of $2,019 and de-designation date unrecognized gain on the interest rate swap of $348. The senior notes were redeemed using funds from borrowing $100,000 under the Credit Facility, proceeds from the sale of the Wiring business and existing cash.

 

PST maintains several short-term obligations and long-term notes used for working capital purposes which have fixed interest rates. The weighted-average interest rates of short-term and long-term debt of PST at December 31, 2015 were 16.1% and 7.3%, respectively.  Depending on the specific note, interest is payable either monthly or annually. Principal payments on PST debt at December 31, 2015 are as follows: $13,526 in 2016, $1,873 in 2017, $986 in 2018, $965 in 2019, $331 in 2020 and $303 in 2021.

 

On February 25, 2014, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary located in Suzhou, China entered into a term loan for 9,000 Chinese yuan which matured in August 2014. On October 17, 2014, the subsidiary entered into a new term loan for 9,000 Chinese yuan (the "Suzhou note") which matured in April 2015. The U.S. dollar equivalent outstanding loan balance was $1,450 at December 31, 2014 which was included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of current portion of long-term debt. Interest was payable quarterly at 120.0% of the one-year lending rate published by The People's Bank of China.

 

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary located in Stockholm, Sweden, has an overdraft credit line which allows overdrafts on the subsidiary's bank account up to a maximum level of 20,000 Swedish krona, or $2,369 and $2,562, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, there was no balance outstanding on this bank account.

 

The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

At December 31, 2015, the future maturities of debt were as follows:

 

 

Year ended December 31    
2016  $13,905 
2017   1,873 
2018   986 
2019   100,965 
2020   331 
Thereafter   303 
Total  $118,363 

 

 54

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

 

5. Income Taxes

 

The income tax expense (benefit) included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations represents federal, state and foreign income taxes. The components of income (loss) before income taxes and the expense (benefit) for income taxes consist of the following:

 

Years ended December 31  2015   2014   2013 
Income (loss) before income taxes:               
Domestic  $22,959   $1,635   $5,771 
Foreign   (2,729)   (54,695)   17,555 
Total income (loss) before income taxes  $20,230   $(53,060)  $23,326 
                
Provision for income taxes:               
Current:               
Federal  $386   $-   $- 
State and foreign   1,232    1,382    5,878 
Total current expense   1,618    1,382    5,878 
                
Deferred:               
Federal   -    -    - 
    State and foreign   (2,165)   (3,238)   (3,081)
Total deferred benefit   (2,165)   (3,238)   (3,081)
Total income tax expense (benefit)  $(547)  $(1,856)  $2,797 

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s effective income tax rate to the statutory federal tax rate is as follows:

 

Years ended December 31  2015   2014   2013 
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate   35.0%   (35.0)%   35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit   0.2    -    2.4 
Tax credits   (2.8)   (1.3)   (3.5)
Foreign tax rate differential   (3.3)   0.2    (9.5)
Reduction (increase) of income tax accruals   (0.5)   0.2    (1.1)
Tax on foreign dividends, net of foreign tax credits   <