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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 0-04041
ALLIENT INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (716) 242-8634
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock ALNT NASDAQ
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. Yes ◻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. Yes ◻No⌧
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ⌧
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the average bid and asked prices of such stock as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $546,737,334.
Number of shares of the only class of Common Stock outstanding: 16,593,329 as of March 5, 2024.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated into Part III.
Table of Contents
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Page
PART I.
Item 1. Business 4
Item 1A. Risk Factors 10
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 19
Item 1C. Cybersecurity 19
Item 2. Properties 21
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 21
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 21
PART II.
Item 6. [Reserved] 23
Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk 33
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 35
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 66
Item 9B. Other Information 68
PART III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 68
Item 11. Executive Compensation 68
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 68
PART IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 69
Signatures 72
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Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
All statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements, and may contain the word “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “should” or words or phrases of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include those associated with: the domestic and foreign general business and economic conditions in the markets we serve, including political and currency risks and adverse changes in local legal and regulatory environments; the severity, magnitude and duration of weather, natural disaster, or pandemic-related events, including impacts of businesses’ and governments’ responses to such events on our operations and personnel, and on commercial activity and demand across our and our customers’ businesses, and on global supply chains; the ability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; our ability to sustain, manage or forecast our growth and product acceptance to accurately align capacity with demand; the continued success of our customers and the ability to realize the full amounts reflected in our order backlog as revenue; the loss of significant customers or the enforceability of the Company’s contracts in connection with a merger, acquisition, disposition, bankruptcy, or otherwise; our ability to meet the technical specifications of our customers; the performance of subcontractors or suppliers and the continued availability of parts and components; failure of a key information technology system, process or site or a breach of information security, including a cybersecurity breach, ransomware, or failure of one or more key information technology systems, networks, processes, associated sites or service providers; changes in government regulations; the availability of financing and our access to capital markets, borrowings, or financial transactions to hedge certain risks; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, and in particular those who can design new applications and products for the motion industry; the ability to implement our corporate strategies designed for growth and improvement in profits including to identify and consummate favorable acquisitions to support external growth and the development of new technologies; the ability to successfully integrate an acquired business into our business model without substantial costs, delays, or problems; our ability to control costs, including the establishment and operation of low cost region manufacturing and component sourcing capabilities; and the additional risk factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of this report. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially from the Company’s forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict the occurrence of those matters or the manner in which they may affect us. The Company has no obligation or intent to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are believed to have a reasonable basis; however, the Company makes no assurance that expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved.
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PART I
All dollar amounts are in thousands except share and per share amounts.
Item 1. Business.
OVERVIEW
Effective August 23, 2023, Allied Motion Technologies Inc. (“Allied Motion”) changed its name to Allient Inc. (“Allient” or the “Company”). In conjunction with the name change, Allient’s ticker symbol has changed from “AMOT” to “ALNT”. The name change reflects the Company’s commitment to and progress in transforming its business from a products-based business in motion control to a solutions-oriented company that addresses its customers’ requirements for Motion, Controls and Power technologies for a multitude of applications.
We are a global company that designs, manufactures and sells precision and specialty controlled motion components and systems used in a broad range of industries. Our target markets include Industrial, Vehicle, Medical, and Aerospace & Defense (A&D). We are headquartered in Amherst, NY, and have global production operations and sell to markets across the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. We are known worldwide for our expertise in electro-magnetic, mechanical and electronic motion technology. We sell component and integrated controlled motion solutions to end customers and OEMs through our own direct sales force and authorized manufacturers’ representatives and distributors. Our products and solutions include nano precision positioning systems, servo control systems, motion controllers, digital servo amplifiers and drives, brushless servo, torque, and coreless motors, brush motors, integrated motor-drives, gear motors, gearing, incremental and absolute optical encoders, active (electronic) and passive (magnetic) filters for power quality and harmonic issues, Industrial safety rated input/output Modules, Universal Industrial Communications Gateways, light-weighting technologies, and other controlled motion-related products.
Allient was established in 1962 under the laws of Colorado and operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia-Pacific. We are headquartered in Amherst, New York and the mailing address of our corporate headquarters is 495 Commerce Drive, Suite 3, Amherst, New York 14228. The telephone number at this location is (716) 242-8634. Our website is www.allient.com. We trade under the ticker symbol “ALNT” on the NASDAQ exchange.
The Company maintains a website at www.allient.com. We make available, free of charge on or through our website our annual reports on Form 10 K, quarterly reports on Form 10 Q, current reports on Form 8 K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC.
We have a Code of Ethics for our chief executive officer and president and senior financial officers regarding their obligations in the conduct of Company affairs. We also have a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that is applicable to all directors, officers and employees. The Codes are available on our website. We intend to disclose on our website any amendment to, or waiver of, the Codes that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Market. A copy of both Codes is also available in print to any stockholder upon written request addressed to Allient Inc., 495 Commerce Drive, Suite 3, Amherst, NY 14228-2313, Attention: Secretary.
Recent Events
In 2023 we refined our strategy to expand our vertical market focus to accelerate our growth. Throughout its history, the Company has expanded our capabilities to be a leading global provider of motion solutions. More recently, we have been building our controls and power technologies, both organically and through acquisitions. The evolution of these additional pillars of our business enhances our overall value proposition, expands our addressable markets and is aligned with mega technology trends. These advancements required us to refine our strategy to leverage the value opportunity that exists in three technology pillars – Motion, Controls and Power. In addition, we are structuring our organization with focused market selling and support teams to increase solution sales opportunities under our new brand -Allient. This refined strategy is reflected in the change of our corporate name from Allied Motion Technologies Inc. to Allient Inc, short for Allied Nexus Technologies. Allient captures the opportunity that exists at the nexus of these three technology pillars and recognizes the unique capabilities the combination offers.
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Beginning in 2022 and continuing into 2023, inflation negatively impacted our input costs and pricing, primarily for labor and materials. We, our customers, and our suppliers also experienced the effect of a higher interest rate environment. Gross domestic product growth slowed throughout 2022 largely due to the widespread impacts of inflation, increasing interest rates, and more restrictive financial conditions. While gross domestic products began to rebound in 2023, the factors contributing to supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and global inflation remained persistent into 2023, along with elevated geopolitical instability. There are varying degress of impact on our customers, and thus our business around the world, with Europe experiencing the greatest amount of stress in 2023.
The current geopolitical conflicts are creating higher levels of economic uncertainty and increased volatility with respect to energy prices, interest rates, our supply chain, and certain customer ordering patterns. We are closely monitoring the developments and continue to adjust our production platform to react to changing customer ordering patterns and realize efficiencies. The impact of the conflicts on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments that cannot be predicted.
Changing order patterns, supply chain disruptions, and the evolution of our business have required us to carry larger inventories in 2023 and 2022 to meet the needs of our customers, especially as they return to a new normal after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, aerospace and defense customers ordering patterns continue to change quickly based on the geopolitical conflicts and sovereign governments priorities and budgets to address those conflicts.
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
Sierramotion: On September 22, 2023, the Company acquired 100% of the interest in Sierramotion Inc. (“Sierramotion”), a privately-owned company specializing in designing and engineering turn-key motion components and mechatronic (mechanical, electrical, and control) solutions for robotic, medical, industrial, defense, semiconductor, and other precision applications. Sierramotion has experience and know-how designing and applying products in electro-mechanical systems with moving magnets or moving coils for rotary, linear, and arc shaped applications. They provide customized design and integration capabilities, testing, performance simulations, prototype development, and low volume production for a variety of high precision and custom critical applications.
Airex, LLC:On June 17, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interests of Airex, LLC (“Airex”), a privately-owned New Hampshire headquartered developer of high precision electromagnetic products and solutions for the aerospace and defense, life sciences, semiconductor, and commercial industrial applications. Airex combines its patented winding technology with robotic manufacturing to produce linear motors – ironless and iron core, rotary motors, voice coils, wound electromagnetic components and sub-components. Airex expands the Company’s motor offerings as well as enhances its quality systems to support broad mission critical defense programs, as well as other high demanding industries such as life sciences and semiconductor. All operations of Airex were moved from New Hampshire to our Tulsa, Oklahoma facility in late 2023.
FPH Group:On May 30, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the direct and indirect legal and beneficial ownership of the shares of FPH Group Inc., a corporation incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the membership interests of Transtar International, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, collectively “FPH”. FPH is an Ontario, Canada headquartered industry leader in the development of technically advanced, reliable and cost-effective electrical drive systems which provide high torque and precision motion for the defense industry, as well as light weighting technologies for existing and future ground-based vehicles in the defense industry. FPH provides concept engineering, prototyping, validation, and production. FPH also develops composites, advanced materials and hybrid products and solutions that achieve significant weight reduction and higher strength. This acquisition provides the Company with a deeper penetration within defense applications including the necessary manufacturing licenses and certifications.
ThinGap, Inc.:On May 24, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of ThinGap, Inc. (“ThinGap”), a privately-owned California headquartered developer and manufacturer of high performance, zero clogging slotless motors for use in aerospace, defense, and medical applications that require precise performance in a compact, yet high-torque-to-volume solutions. ThinGap designs, engineers, and manufactures low profile, brushless DC motor kits and assemblies that utilize a proprietary wave-wound stator architecture and highly optimized rotors. ThinGap expands the
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Company’s precision motion capabilities and advances its strategy to provide integrated motion solutions in the robotics, semiconductor, and instrumentation markets.
MARKETS AND APPLICATIONS
The Company’s growth strategy is focused on becoming the recognized leader in designing products and innovating controlled motion solutions in its selected target markets by further developing its products and service platform to utilize multiple Allient technologies to provide enhanced solutions, products, and value for its customers. Our strategy further defines Allient as being a “technology/know-how” driven company and to remain successful, the company continuously invests in its area of excellence.
This platform development emphasizes a combination of technologies to create enhanced products, solutions, and value to meet the emerging needs of the Company’s selected target markets. The emphasis on new opportunities has driven the Company from being an individual component provider to becoming a solutions provider emphasizing the utilization of multiple Company technologies in a system solution approach. In addition to enhanced products, solutions, and value for our customers, this approach is allowing the Company to improve margins. We expect our recent acquisitions will further drive our success. Our strong financial condition, along with Allient Systematic Tools (“AST”) continuous improvement initiatives in quality, delivery, and cost provide a positive outlook for the continued long-term growth and profitability of the Company.
The Company sells its products and solutions into a subset of the following broad markets:
Industrial: products and solutions are used in factory automation, specialty equipment, material handling equipment, commercial grade floor polishers and cleaners, commercial building equipment such as welders, cable pullers and assembly tools, the handling, inspection, and testing of components and final products such as PCs, high definition printers, tunable lasers and spectrum analyzers for the fiber optic industry, test and processing equipment for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, power quality products to filter distortion caused by variable frequency drives and other power electronic equipment, nano technology motion systems in silicon photonics, micro assembly, digital pathology, genome sequencing, laser processing and microelectronics, PLC manufacturers and distributors.
Vehicle: electronic power steering and drive-by-wire applications to electrically replace, or provide power-assist to, a variety of mechanical linkages, traction / drive systems and pumps, automated and remotely guided power steering systems, various high performance vehicle applications, actuation systems (e.g., lifts, slide-outs, covers, etc.), HVAC systems, solutions to improve energy efficiency of vehicles while idling and alternative fuel systems such as liquified petroleum gas (“LPG”), fuel cell and hybrid vehicles. Vehicle types include off- and on-road construction and agricultural equipment; trucks, buses, boats, utility, recreational (e.g., RVs, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), specialty automotive, automated and remotely guided vehicles).
Medical: surgical robots, prosthetics, electric powered surgical hand pieces, programmable pumps to meter and administer infusions associated with chemotherapy, pain control and antibiotics, nuclear imaging systems, radiology equipment, automated pharmacy dispensing equipment, kidney dialysis equipment, respiratory ventilators, heart pumps, and patient handling equipment (e.g., wheel chairs, scooters, stair lifts, patient lifts, transport tables and hospital beds).
Aerospace & Defense: inertial guided missiles, mid-range smart munitions systems, weapons systems on armed personnel carriers, unmanned vehicles, security and access control, camera systems, door access control, airport screening scanning devices, and light-weighting vehicle technologies.
OTHER FACTORS IMPACTING OUR OPERATIONS
Sales and Marketing
We design and develop our products within our Technology Centers and can manufacture these products and solutions in various facilities located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia-Pacific. We also operate Allient Solution Centers that evaluate and focus all Allient products to create integrated controlled motion solutions for our customers. We sell our products and solutions globally to a broad spectrum of customers through our own direct sales force and authorized manufacturers’ representatives and distributors. Our customers include end users and original
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equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).
Allient Organization:
The Company’s sales organization is focused on becoming the best sales and service force in its industry. Through the One Team approach for providing products and controlled motion solutions that best address customers’ needs, the Company has broadened the knowledge and skills of its direct sales force, while creating sales and service support in its Solution Centers. This enables the entire sales organization to be capable of selling all products designed, developed and produced by Allient globally. The Company’s primary channels to market include the direct sales force and external authorized Sales Representatives, Agents and Distributors that provide field coverage in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Canada, Israel and the Americas. While most of the Company’s sales are directly to OEMs, it has expanded its market reach through Distribution channels.
Allient Solution Centers:
Allient has Solution Centers in China, Europe and North America that enable the design and sale of individual component products as well as integrated controlled motion systems that utilize multiple Allient products and technologies. In addition to providing sales and applications support, the solution center function may include final assembly, integration and tests as required to support customers within their geographic region.
Sales Backlog:
Backlog as of December 31, 2023 was $276,093 compared with $330,078 as of December 31, 2022. Included in backlog as of December 31, 2023 is $2,344 from the acquisition completed in 2023. The decrease in our backlog is partially driven by the return of our customers to more normal ordering patterns subsequent to the disruptions in business and supply chains which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The time to convert the majority of backlog to sales is approximately three to nine months. Given the short product lead times, we do not believe that the amount of our backlog of orders is a reliable indication of our future sales. We may on occasion receive multi-year orders from customers for product to be delivered on demand over that time frame. There is no assurance that the Company’s backlog from these customers will be converted into revenue.
Major Customers
Sales to one customer (Customer A) were 10% of total sales in 2023 and 11% of total sales in 2022 and to another customer (Customer B) were 12% of total sales in 2023. We believe the broad diversification of the target markets and customers we serve reduces our exposure to negative developments with any single customer.
Competitive Environment
Our products and solutions are sold into the global market with a large and diverse group of competitors that vary by product, geography, industry and application. The controlled motion market is highly fragmented with many competitors, some of which are substantially larger and have greater resources than Allient. We believe our competitive advantages include our electro-magnetic, mechanical and electronic controlled motion expertise, the breadth of our motor technologies and our ability to integrate these technologies with our encoders, gearing, power electronics, digital control technologies and network/feedback communications capabilities, as well as our global presence. Unlike many of our competitors, we are unique in our ability to provide custom-engineered controlled motion solutions that integrate the products we manufacture such as embedded or external electrical control solutions with our motors. We compete on technological capabilities, quality, reliability, service responsiveness, delivery speed and price. Our competitors include Ametek, Inc., Parker Hannifin Corporation, Regal Rexnord, and other smaller competitors.
Availability and Prices of Parts and Raw Materials
We purchase critical raw materials from a limited number of suppliers due to the technically challenging requirements of the supplied product and/or the lengthy process required to qualify these materials both internally and with our customers. We cannot quickly establish additional or replacement suppliers for these materials in some cases because of these rigid requirements. For these critical raw materials, we maintain minimum safety stock levels and partner with
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suppliers through contract to help ensure the continuity of supply. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic and supply chain disruptions, we have experienced upward pricing pressure and challenges with availability of parts and raw materials. In addition, workplace disruptions and restrictions on the movement of raw materials and goods, both at our own facilities and at our customers and suppliers has led to increases in prices and freight costs. As we seek to secure supply during volatile times, we have proactively increased the levels of certain inventories to put us in the position to meet the needs of our customers on a timely basis.
Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions
We hold several patents and trademarks for components manufactured by our various subsidiaries, and we have several patents pending on new products recently developed, which we believe are significant.
Working Capital Items
We currently maintain inventory levels adequate for our short-term needs based upon present levels of production while taking into account the potential for supply chain disruptions. We consider the component parts of our different product lines to be generally available and current suppliers to be reliable and capable of satisfying anticipated needs under normal conditions. As discussed herein, because of the supply chain disruptions, we have experienced increased costs and have purposely increased certain inventories to manage global supply chain issues.
Engineering and Development Activities
Our engineering and development (E&D) activities are for the development of new products, enhancement of the functionality, effectiveness and reliability of current products, to redesign products to reduce the cost of manufacturing of products or to expand the types of applications for which our products and solutions can be used. Our engineering and development expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $41,665 and $38,561, respectively, or 7% and 8% of sales in 2023 and 2022, respectively. We believe E&D is critical to our ongoing success and expect to continue to invest at similar levels in the future. Of these expenditures, no material amounts were charged directly to customers, although we record non-recurring engineering charges to certain customers for custom engineering required to develop products that meet the customer’s specifications.
Environmental Issues
On December 14, 2023, Allient published its inaugural Sustainability Report covering the Company’s fiscal year 2022. The report highlights Allient’s vision for and approach to corporate sustainability and details key initiatives it is undertaking in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and well-being, and corporate governance. The report outlines key achievements as well as disclosing key and pertinent data in alignment with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures reporting standards.
The Company takes its responsibility to be a good steward of the environment seriously and we adopt policies and procedures under the guidance of the Board of Directors that advance our performance. No significant pollution or other types of hazardous emission result from the Company’s operations and it is not anticipated that our operations will be materially affected by Federal, State or local provisions concerning environmental controls.
We monitor existing and pending climate legislation, regulation, and international treaties and accords to evaluate any potential impact on our future results of operations, capital expenditures or financial position. The Board of Directors provides oversight as part of their environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) initiatives and we will continue to monitor emerging developments and assess our performance in this area. We may face additional economic and operational impacts from ESG regulations as well as impacts from our suppliers and customers as they adhere to the laws and regulations.
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International Operations
Our operations outside the United States are conducted through wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and are located in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Our international operations are subject to the usual risks inherent in international trade, including currency fluctuations, local government contracting regulations, local governmental restrictions on foreign investment and repatriation of profits, exchange controls, regulation of the import and distribution of foreign goods, as well as changing economic and social conditions in countries in which our operations are conducted. The information required by this item is set forth in Note 14, Segment Information, of the notes to consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this report.
Human Capital
Employment
At December 31, 2023, we employed 2,287 full-time employees worldwide. Of those, approximately 55% are located in North America, 35% are located in Europe and the remainder are located in Asia-Pacific. As of December 31, 2023, 18% of our total workforce were employed in engineering functions, demonstrating our commitment to invest significantly in engineering resources.
Human Capital Management
The Company believes that its workforce is one of the Company’s greatest assets, and it has a proactive human capital management and talent development program. The Board of Directors and Human Capital and Compensation Committee recognizes human capital as a key driver of long-term value and is responsible for oversight of the Company’s human capital management and talent development programs.
Employee Health and Safety
The Company complies in all respects with the national and local laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate regarding workers safety and health. The Company strives to continuously improve employee safety and health through consistent measurement and reporting on progress and leading indicators. It has programs that emphasize that each employee in the organization is responsible for safety in the workplace. The Company provides a comprehensive safety program that focuses on a zero-incident mindset by providing ongoing training opportunities and review of safety activities and initiative. This highly visible effort encourages employee engagement and active management and leadership involvement.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Company is committed to apply fair labor practices while respecting the national and local laws of the countries and communities where we have operations. The Company is also committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. The Company does not engage in or tolerate unlawful conduct, including discrimination, intimidation, or harassment. The Company strives to establish relationships with key organizations and associations that foster
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diversity and inclusion initiatives in the communities where it is located. The Company is committed to identifying a talented and innovative workforce through a culture that promotes human equity and emphasizes the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce and pipeline of talent. The Human Capital and Compensation Committee is responsible for setting the tone at the top and the oversight of the Company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Ethical Business Practices
The Company is dedicated to conducting its business with integrity and responsibility. The Company promotes honest and ethical conduct, and the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct which applies to all employees, directors, and officers. The Company does not tolerate human rights abuses, human trafficking and or slavery, the use of child labor and will not engage or be complicit in any activity that solicits or encourages human rights abuse.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In the ordinary course of our business, we face various strategic, operating, compliance and financial risks. These risks could have a material impact on our business, reputation, financial condition or results of operations. Our most significant risks are set forth below and elsewhere in this Report. These risk factors should be considered in addition to our cautionary comments concerning forward-looking statements in this Report, including statements related to markets for our products and trends in our business that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Our global sales and operations are subject to a variety of economic, market and financial risks and costs that could affect our profitability and operating results.
We do business around the world and are continuing our strategy of enhancing our global optimization. Our international sales are primarily to customers in Europe, Canada and Asia-Pacific. In addition, our manufacturing operations, suppliers and employees are located in many places around the world. The future success of our business includes growth in our sales in non-U.S. markets. Our global operations are subject to numerous financial, legal and operating risks, such as political and economic instability; imposition of trade or foreign exchange restrictions, including in the U.S.; trade protection measures such as the imposition of or increase in tariffs and other trade barriers, including in the U.S.; unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, including in the U.S., prevalence of corruption in certain countries; enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights and compliance with existing and future laws, regulations and policies, including those related to tariffs, investments, taxation, trade controls, product content and performance, employment and repatriation of earnings. In addition, we are affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, inflation rates and interest rates.
Our growth could suffer if the markets into which we sell our products and solutions decline.
Our growth depends in part on the growth of the markets which we serve. Any decline or lower than expected growth in our served markets could diminish demand for our products and solutions, which would adversely affect our financial results. We operate in industries that may experience periodic, cyclical downturns. Demand for our products and solutions is also sensitive to changes in customer order patterns, which may be affected by announced price changes, changes in incentive programs, new product introductions and customer inventory levels. Any of these factors could adversely affect our growth and results of operations in any given period.
We could experience a failure of a key information technology system, process or site or a breach of information security, including a cybersecurity breach or failure of one or more key information technology systems, networks, processes, associated sites or service providers.
We rely extensively on information technology (“IT”) systems for the storage, processing, and transmission of our electronic, business-related information assets used in or necessary to conduct business. We leverage our internal information technology infrastructures, and those of our business partners, to enable, sustain, and support our global business activities. In addition, we rely on networks and services, including internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools and other hardware, software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed,
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hosted, provided and/or used by third-parties or their vendors, to assist in conducting our business. All third parties contracted by the Company have been vetted and have significant reputations in the industry. As such, controls from the third party vendors have been deemed to be adequate prior to any goods or services having been provided. The data we store, and process may include customer payment information, personal information concerning our employees, confidential financial information, and other types of sensitive business-related information. Numerous and evolving cybersecurity threats pose potential risks to the security of our IT systems, networks and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our technology systems and data. In addition, the laws and regulations governing security of data on IT systems are evolving and adding another layer of complexity in the form of new requirements. In the past, we have had cybersecurity incidents and we have made, and continue to make investments, seeking to address these threats, including monitoring of networks and systems, hiring of experts to evaluate and test our systems, employee training and security policies for employees and third-party providers.
The frequency and the techniques used in these attacks have increased significantly and may be difficult to detect for periods of time and we may face difficulties in anticipating and implementing adequate preventative measures. While the breaches of our IT systems to date have not been material to our business or results of operations, the costs of attempting to protect our IT systems and data will increase, and there can be no assurance that these added security efforts will prevent all breaches of our IT systems or thefts of our data. If our IT systems are damaged or cease to function properly, the networks or service providers we rely upon fail to function properly, or we or one of our third-party providers suffer a loss or disclosure of our business or stakeholder information due to any number of causes ranging from catastrophic events or power outages to improper data handling or security breaches (including ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, a malicious website, the use of social engineering and other means to affect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our technology systems and data) and our business continuity plans do not effectively address these failures on a timely basis, we may be exposed to potential disruption in operations, loss of customers, reputational, competitive and business harm as well as significant costs from remediation, ransom payments, litigation and regulatory actions.
We are also subject to an increasing number of evolving data privacy and security laws and regulations. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in the imposition of fines, penalties and other costs. The European Union (“EU”) and United Kingdom’s General Data Protection Regulations and the EU’s pending ePrivacy Regulation could disrupt our ability to sell products and solutions or use and transfer data because such activities may not be in compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, cybersecurity incidents related to export control technology information of our Aerospace & Defense customers could subject us to additional reporting requirements, could disrupt our ability to sell products to those customers and could subject us to additional costs, penalties, and fines all of which may be material to our operating results.
The Board of Directors and Audit Committee are responsible for information security oversight and the Audit Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors. Additionally, two members of the Company’s Board of Directors have relevant information security and cybersecurity experience. As part of their oversight, senior leadership meets with the Audit Committee at least annually to discuss information security and cybersecurity matters.
Over the last three years, the Company has experienced one known information security breach, in connection with a ransomware incident that occurred in June 2021. Costs incurred related to the information security breach did not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. However, as cybersecurity incidents continue to increase in scope, complexity, and frequency, we may be unable to prevent a significant incident in the future which may materially impact our results of operations. The Company regularly undertakes audits and evaluations (including to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171 standards) and enhances its security framework based upon the results of those audits and evaluations. For new associates, and on an annual basis therefore the Company requires associates to take security awareness training and has an on-going phishing recognition training and testing programs.
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We rely on suppliers to provide equipment, components and services, which creates certain risks and uncertainties that may adversely affect our business.
Our business requires that we buy equipment, components and services from third parties. Our reliance on suppliers involves certain risks, including poor quality or an insecure supply chain, which could adversely affect the reliability and reputation of our products and solutions; changes in the cost of these purchases due to inflation, exchange rates, tariffs, or other factors; shortages of components, commodities or other materials, which could adversely affect our manufacturing efficiencies and ability to make timely delivery.
Any of these uncertainties could adversely affect our profitability and ability to compete. The effect of unavailability or delivery delays would be more severe if associated with our higher volume and more profitable products and solutions. Even where substitute sources of supply are available, qualifying the alternate suppliers and establishing reliable supplies could cost more or could result in delays and a loss of sales.
Certain materials and components used in our products and solutions are required and qualified to be sourced from a single or a limited number of suppliers. As such, some materials and components could become in short supply resulting in limited availability and/or increased costs. Additionally, we may elect to develop relationships with a single or limited number of suppliers for materials and components that are otherwise generally available, because some customers require extensive certification of suppliers which is a considerable and time consuming undertaking. Although we believe that alternative suppliers are available to supply materials and components to replace those currently used, doing so may require redesign work and would require having those new sources qualified by our customers prior to making use of those new alternatives. Any interruption in the supply from any supplier that serves as a sole source could delay product shipments and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our profits may decline if the price of raw materials rise and we cannot recover the increases from our customers.
We use various raw materials, such as copper, steel, zinc and rare earth magnets, in our manufacturing operations. The prices of these raw materials have been subject to volatility. As a result of price increases, we have generally implemented price surcharges to our customers; however, we may be unable to collect surcharges without suffering reductions in unit volume, revenue and operating income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to fully recover the price increases through surcharges in a timely manner. We are also subject to risks associated with U.S. and foreign legislation and regulations relating to imports, including quotas, duties, tariffs or taxes, and other charges or restrictions on imports, which could adversely affect our operations and our ability to import products at current or increased levels. We cannot predict whether additional U.S. and foreign customs quotas, duties, tariffs, taxes or other charges or restrictions, requirements as to where raw materials must be purchased, or other restrictions on our imports will be imposed upon the importation of our products and solutions in the future or adversely modified, or what effect such actions would have on our costs of operations.
We face competition that could harm our business and we may be unable to compete successfully against new entrants and established companies with greater resources.
Competition in connection with the manufacturing of our products and solutions may intensify in the future. The market for our technologies is competitive and subject to rapid technological change. We compete globally on the basis of product performance, customer service, availability, reliability, productivity and price. Our competitors may be larger and may have greater financial, operational, economies of scale, personnel, sales, technical and marketing resources than us. Certain of our competitors also may pursue aggressive pricing or product strategies that may cause us to reduce the prices we charge for our original equipment and aftermarket products and services or lose sales. These actions may lead to reduced revenues, lower margins and/or a decline in market share, any of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Quality problems with our products and solutions could harm our reputation, erode our competitive advantage and could result in warranty claims and additional costs.
Quality is important to us and our customers, and our products and solutions are held to high quality and performance standards. In the event our products and solutions fail to meet these standards, our reputation could be harmed, which could damage our competitive advantage, causing us to lose customers and resulting in lower revenues. We generally allow customers to return defective or damaged products for credit, replacement, repair or exchange. We generally warrant that our products and solutions will meet customer specifications and will be free from defects in materials and workmanship. We reserve for our exposure to warranty claims based upon recent historical experience and other specific information as it becomes available. However, these reserves may not be adequate to cover future warranty claims and additional warranty costs or inventory write-offs may be incurred which could harm our operating results.
If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, our ability to operate and grow our company will be in jeopardy.
We are required to hire and retain skilled employees at all levels of our operations in a market where such qualified employees are in high demand and are subject to receiving competing offers. We believe that there is, and will continue to be, competition for qualified personnel in our industry, and there is no assurance that we will be able to attract or retain the personnel necessary for the management and development of our business. The inability to attract or retain employees currently or in the future may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our future success depends in part on the continued service of our engineering and technical personnel and our ability to identify, hire and retain personnel.
Our success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate highly skilled engineering and technical employees. There is currently aggressive competition for employees who have experience in technology and engineering. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain engineers or other qualified technical personnel necessary for the development and growth of our business or to replace personnel who may leave our employ in the future. The failure to retain and recruit key engineering and technical personnel could cause additional expense, potentially reduce the efficiency of our operations and could harm our business.
We depend heavily upon a limited number of customers, and if we lose any of them or they reduce their business with us, we would lose a substantial portion of our revenues.
A significant portion of our revenues and trade receivables are concentrated with a small group of customers. These customers have a variety of suppliers to choose from and therefore can make substantial demands on us, including demands on product pricing and on contractual terms, often resulting in the allocation of risk to us as the supplier. Our ability to maintain strong relationships with our principal customers is essential to our future performance. If we lose a key customer, if any of our key customers reduce their orders of our products and solutions or require us to reduce our prices before we are able to reduce costs, if a customer is acquired by one of our competitors or if a key customer suffers financial hardship, our operating results would likely be harmed as well as the collectability of accounts receivable.
If we do not respond to changes in technology, our products and solutions may become obsolete and we may experience a loss of customers and lower revenues.
We sell our products and solutions to customers in several industries that experience rapid technological changes, new product introductions and evolving industry standards. Without the timely introduction of new products and solutions, our offerings will likely become technologically obsolete over time and we may lose a significant number of our customers. Our product and solutions development efforts may be affected by a number of factors, including our ability to anticipate customer needs, allocate and process our research and development funding, innovate and develop new products, differentiate our offerings and commercialize new technologies, secure intellectual property protection for our products and manufacture products in a cost-effective manner. We would be harmed if we did not meet customer requirements and expectations. Our inability, for technological or other reasons, to successfully develop and introduce new and innovative products and solutions could result in a loss of customers and lower revenues.
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We face the challenge of accurately aligning our capacity with our demand.
We have experienced capacity constraints and longer lead times for certain products and solutions in times of growing demand and have also experienced idle capacity as economies slow or demand for certain products decline. Accurately forecasting our expected volumes and appropriately adjusting our capacity have been, and will continue to be, important factors in determining our results of operations. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to increase manufacturing capacity, and with the support of sufficiently skilled and cost-effective labor, to a level that meets demand for our products and solutions, which could prevent us from meeting increased customer demand and could harm our business. However, if we overestimate our demand and overbuild our capacity, we may have significantly underutilized assets and we may experience reduced margins. If we do not accurately align our manufacturing capabilities with demand it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The manufacture of many of our products and solutions is a highly exacting and complex process, and if we directly or indirectly encounter problems manufacturing products, our reputation, business and financial results could suffer.
The manufacture of many of our products and solutions is an exacting and complex process. Problems may arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with raw materials, natural disasters and environmental factors, and if not discovered before the product is released to market could result in recalls and product liability exposure. Because of the time required to develop and maintain manufacturing facilities, an alternative manufacturer may not be available on a timely basis to replace such production capacity. We have also undertaken certain manufacturing footprint rationalization activities, which may include new challenges related to management and monitoring of the manufacturing of our products and solutions. Any of these manufacturing problems could result in significant costs and liability, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products.
We face the potential harms of natural disasters, pandemics, acts of war, terrorism, international conflicts or other disruptions to our operations.
Natural disasters, pandemics, acts or threats of war or terrorism, international conflicts, political instability, and the actions taken by governments could cause damage to or disrupt our business operations, our suppliers or our customers, and could create economic instability. Although it is not possible to predict such events or their consequences, these events could decrease demand for our products or make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products.
We face potential operational impacts associated with volatility in energy markets.
Volatility in the supply and cost for energy exists in the locations where we operate, particularly Europe and China. As Europe continues to face impacts from the conflicts in the middle east and in Ukraine and sanctions between the European Union and Russia, there are concerns about the availability and costs related to providing resources to meet the energy needs of Europe. Should these energy needs not be met, there are risks that the European operations of the Company may experience uncertainties related to the availability and cost of such resources. At times, China has experienced energy shortages, and has, in the past, resorted to rolling blackouts. Although these blackouts have not materially impacted on our operations, it remains a risk we may face in the future.
STRATEGIC RISKS
Our strong organic growth has been and will continue to be enhanced by strategic acquisitions that complement, enhance or expand our business. We may not be able to find or complete these transactions, and, if completed, we may experience operational and financial risks in connection with our acquisitions that prevent us from realizing the anticipated benefits and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
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Acquisitions are part of our strategic growth plans. We may have difficulty finding these opportunities, or if we do identify these opportunities, we may not be able to complete the transactions for various reasons including a failure to secure financing.
As we complete acquisitions, we face the operational and financial risks commonly encountered with an acquisition strategy. These risks include the challenge of integrating acquired businesses while managing the ongoing operations of each business, the challenge of combining the business cultures of each company, and the need to retain key personnel of our existing business and the acquired business. The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of the acquired business and our existing business. Members of our senior management may be required to devote considerable amounts of time to the integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage our businesses, service existing customers, attract new customers and develop new products. If our senior management is not able to effectively manage the integration process, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, our business could be adversely affected.
The indemnification provisions of acquisition agreements by which we have acquired companies may not fully protect us and as a result we may face unexpected liabilities.
Certain of the acquisition agreements by which we have acquired companies require the former owners to indemnify us against certain liabilities related to the operation of the company before we acquire it. In most of these agreements, however, the liability of the former owners is limited, and certain former owners may be unable to meet their indemnification responsibilities. We cannot assure that these indemnification provisions will protect us fully or at all, and as a result we may face unexpected liabilities that adversely affect our financial results.
We intend to develop new products and solutions and expand into new markets, which may not be successful and could harm our operating results.
We intend to expand into new markets and develop new and modified products and solutions based on our existing technologies and engineering capabilities, including the continued expansion of our controlled motion systems and integrated electronics. These efforts have required and will continue to require us to make substantial investments, including significant research, development and engineering expenditures and capital expenditures for new, expanded or improved manufacturing facilities. Specific risks in connection with expanding into new products, solutions, and markets include longer product development cycles, the inability to transfer our quality standards and technology into new products, and the failure of our customers to accept the new or modified products and solutions.
We may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development of new products or product enhancements under new and existing contracts, and new products and solutions or product enhancements may not be accepted by our customers. In addition, the development expenses we incur may exceed our cost estimates, and new products we develop may not generate sales sufficient to offset our costs. If any of these events occur, our sales and profits could be adversely affected.
Our competitiveness depends on successfully executing our growth initiatives and our global optimization strategies.
We continue to invest in initiatives to support future growth, such as the creation of a more effective corporate structure, implementation of our enterprise resource planning system, launch of a new integrated website, implementation of a structured approach to identify target markets, and the expansion of our AST (continuous improvement initiatives in quality, delivery, and cost). The failure to achieve our objectives on these initiatives could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Our global optimization strategy includes localization of our products, solutions, and services to be closer to our customers and identified growth opportunities. Localization of our products and services includes expanding our capabilities, including supply chain and sourcing activities, product design, manufacturing, engineering, marketing and sales and support. These activities expose us to risks, including those related to political and economic uncertainties, transportation delays, labor market disruptions and challenges to protect our intellectual property.
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FINANCIAL RISKS
Foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial results.
Sales and purchases in currencies other than the U.S. dollar expose us to fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and may adversely affect our financial results. Increased strength of the U.S. dollar increases the effective price of our products sold in U.S. dollars into other countries, which may require us to lower our prices or adversely affect sales to the extent we do not increase local currency prices. Decreased strength of the U.S. dollar could adversely affect the cost of materials, products and services we purchase from non-U.S. denominated locations. Sales and expenses of our non-U.S. businesses are also translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes and the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar could result in unfavorable translation effects. The Company also faces exchange rate risk from its investments in subsidiaries owned and operated in foreign countries.
Economic and credit market uncertainty could interrupt our access to capital markets, borrowings, or financial transactions to hedge certain risks, which could adversely affect our financial condition.
To date, we have been able to access debt and equity financing that has allowed us to make investments in growth opportunities and fund working capital requirements. In addition, we enter into financial transactions to hedge certain risks, including foreign exchange and interest rate risk. Our continued access to capital markets, the stability of our lenders and their willingness to support our needs, and the stability of the parties to our financial transactions that hedge risks are essential for us to meet our current and long-term obligations, fund operations, and fund our strategic initiatives. An interruption in our access to external financing or financial transactions to hedge risk could affect our business prospects and financial condition.
Our indebtedness may limit our operations and our use of our cash flow, and any failure to comply with the covenants that apply to our indebtedness could adversely affect our liquidity and financial results.
Our ability to service our indebtedness depends on our financial performance, which is affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors. Some of these factors are beyond our control. Our debt level and related debt service obligations can have negative consequences, including requiring us to dedicate significant cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our debt, which reduces the funds we have available for other purposes such as acquisitions and capital investment; reducing our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and market conditions; and exposing us to interest rate risk since a portion of our debt obligations are at variable rates. In addition, certain of our indebtedness will have significant outstanding principal balances on their maturity dates, commonly known as balloon payments. Therefore, we will likely need to refinance at least a portion of our outstanding debt as it matures. We may incur more debt in the future, particularly to finance acquisitions, and there can be no assurance that our cost of funding will not substantially increase.
Our existing credit agreements contain, and any future debt agreements we may enter into may contain, certain financial tests and other covenants that limit our ability to incur indebtedness, pay dividends, acquire other businesses and impose various other restrictions. If we breach any of the covenants and do not obtain a waiver from the lenders, the outstanding indebtedness could be declared immediately due and payable. If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital in the future, we may have to curtail our capital expenditures and other expenses. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
Unforeseen exposure to additional income tax liabilities may negatively affect our operating results.
Our distribution of taxable income is subject to domestic tax and, as a result of our significant manufacturing and sales presence in foreign countries, foreign tax. Our effective tax rate may be affected by shifts in our mix of earnings in countries with varying statutory tax rates, changes in reinvested foreign earnings, alterations to tax rates, regulations or interpretations and outcomes of any audits performed on previous tax returns.
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Our operating results could fluctuate significantly.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially adversely affect revenues and profitability, including: the timing of customer orders and the deferral or cancellation of orders previously received, the level of orders received which can be shipped in a quarter, fulfilling backlog on a timely basis, competitive pressures on selling prices, changes in the mix of products sold, the unavailability or delays in the receipt of critical inventories, the timing of investments in engineering and development, development of and response to new technologies, and delays in new product qualifications.
As a result of the foregoing and other factors, we may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and stock price.
We may never realize the full value of our substantial intangible assets.
These intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill, customer lists, trade names and technology arising from our acquisitions. Goodwill is not amortized; it is tested at least annually or upon the occurrence of certain events which indicate that the assets may be impaired. Definite lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are tested for impairment upon the occurrence of certain events which indicate that the assets may be impaired. We may not receive the recorded value for our intangible assets if we sell or liquidate our business or assets. In addition, intangible assets with definite lives will continue to be amortized. Amortization expenses relating to these intangible assets will continue to reduce our future earnings.
Increased healthcare, pension and other costs under the Company’s benefit plans could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
We provide health benefits to many of our employees and the costs of providing such benefits continue to increase annually. The amount of any increase or decrease in the cost of Company-sponsored health plans will depend on a number of different factors including new governmental regulations mandating types of coverage and reporting and other requirements.
We also sponsor defined benefit pension, defined contribution pension, and other postretirement benefit plans. Our costs to provide such benefits generally continue to increase annually. We use actuarial valuations to determine the Company’s benefit obligations for certain benefit plans, which require the use of significant estimates, including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality rates and the rates of increase in compensation and health care costs. Changes to these significant estimates could increase the cost of these plans, which could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Failure of our internal controls over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or prevent fraud.
We believe that effective internal controls are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and to assist in the effective prevention of fraud. If we are unable to detect or correct any issues in the design or operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting or fail to prevent fraud, current and potential customers and shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could harm our business and the trading price of our stock.
Our operating results depend in part on our ability to contain or reduce costs. There is substantial price competition in our industry and upward pressure on material and labor costs. Our success and profitability will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive cost and price structure.
Our efforts to maintain and improve profitability depend in part on our ability to maintain or reduce the costs of materials, components, supplies and labor, including establishing production capabilities at our low cost regional subcontractors. While the failure of any single cost containment effort by itself would most likely not significantly
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impact our results, we cannot give any assurances that we will be successful in controlling material and labor costs to maintain a competitive cost structure.
There is substantial price competition in our industry, and our success and profitability will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive cost and price structure. We may have to reduce prices in the future to remain competitive. Also, our future profitability will depend in part upon our ability to continue to improve our manufacturing efficiencies and maintain a cost structure that will enable us to offer competitive prices in the face of upward pressure on material and labor costs. Our inability to maintain a competitive cost structure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS
Our international operations expose us to legal and regulatory risks, which could have a material effect on our business.
Our profitability and international operations are, and will continue to be, subject to risks relating to changes in foreign legal and regulatory requirements. In addition, our international operations are governed by various U.S. laws and regulations, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the U.K. Bribery Act and other foreign anti-bribery laws. The FCPA generally prohibits companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Other countries in which we operate also have anti-bribery laws, some of which prohibit improper payments to government and non-government persons and entities. Any alleged or actual violations of these regulations may subject us to government scrutiny, severe criminal or civil sanctions and other liabilities and could negatively affect our business, reputation, operating results and financial condition.
We are required to comply with various import laws and export control and economic sanctions laws, which may affect our transactions with certain customers, business partners and other persons and dealings between our employees and subsidiaries. In certain circumstances, export control and economic sanctions regulations or embargos may prohibit the export of certain products, services and technologies. In other circumstances, we may be required to obtain an export license before exporting the controlled item. Compliance with the various import laws that apply to our businesses can restrict our access to, and increase the cost of obtaining, certain products and at times can interrupt our supply of imported inventory. In addition to government regulations regarding sale and export, we are subject to other regulations regarding our products. For example, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted disclosure rules for companies that use conflict minerals in their products, with substantial supply chain verification requirements in the event that the materials come from, or could have come from, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. These rules and verification requirements impose additional costs on us and on our suppliers, and may limit the sources or increase the cost of materials used in our products. Further, if we are unable to certify that our products are conflict free, we may face challenges with our customers that could place us at a competitive disadvantage, and our reputation may be harmed.
Our inability to adequately enforce and protect our intellectual property or defend against assertions of infringement could prevent or restrict our ability to compete.
We rely on patents, trademarks and proprietary knowledge and technology, both internally developed and acquired, in order to maintain a competitive advantage. Our inability to defend against the unauthorized use of these rights and assets could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Litigation may be necessary to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against claims of infringement. This litigation could result in significant costs and divert our management’s focus away from operations.
We are subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings in the normal course of our business that could adversely affect our financial results.
We are subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings incidental to our business, including claims for damages arising out of the use of products or services and claims relating to intellectual property,
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employment, tax, commercial disputes, competition, sales and trading practices, environmental, personal injury, insurance coverage, acquisition, as well as regulatory investigations or enforcement. We may also become subject to lawsuits as a result of past or future acquisitions including liabilities retained from, or representations, warranties or indemnities provided in connection with these acquisitions. These lawsuits may include claims for compensatory damages, punitive and consequential damages and/or injunctive relief. The defense of these lawsuits may divert our management’s attention, we may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits and we may be required to pay damage awards or settlements or become subject to equitable remedies that could adversely affect our operations and financial results. Moreover, any insurance or indemnification rights that we may have may be insufficient or unavailable to protect us against such losses. We estimate loss contingencies and establish reserves based on our assessment where liability is deemed probable and reasonably estimable given the facts and circumstances known to us at a particular point in time. Subsequent developments may affect our assessment and estimates of the loss contingencies recorded as liabilities. We cannot guarantee that our liabilities in connection with litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings will not exceed our estimates or adversely affect our financial results and reputation.
Our business is subject to environmental regulations that could negatively affect our operating results.
Our worldwide operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations that impose various environmental controls on the manufacturing, transportation, storage, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals and other materials used in, and hazardous waste produced by the manufacturing of our products. Conditions relating to our historical operations may require expenditures for clean-up in the future and changes in environmental laws and regulations may impose costly compliance requirements on us or otherwise subject us to future liabilities. Additional or modified regulations relating to the manufacture, transportation, storage, use and disposal of materials used to manufacture our products or restricting disposal or transportation of our products may be imposed that may result in higher costs or lower operating results. In addition, we cannot predict the affect that additional or modified environmental regulations may have on us or our customers.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
Allient has processes in place to assess, identify, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats. We regularly undertake audits and evaluations (including to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171 standards) and enhance our security framework based upon the results of those audits and evaluations. For new associates, and on an annual basis thereafter, we require associates to take security awareness training and conduct on-going phishing recognition training and testing programs.
We have integrated cybersecurity risk management into our enterprise risk management program, and our management, lead by our Global Information Technology Director, regularly review cybersecurity risks. We rely extensively on information technology (“IT”) systems for the storage, processing, and transmission of our electronic, business-related information assets used in, or necessary, to conduct business. We leverage our internal information technology infrastructures, and those of our business partners, to enable, sustain, and support our global business activities. In addition, we rely on networks and services, including internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools and other hardware, software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed, hosted, provided and/or used by third-parties or their vendors, to assist in conducting our business.
Numerous and evolving cybersecurity threats pose potential risks to the security of our IT systems, networks and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our technology systems and data. In addition, the laws and regulations governing security of data on IT systems is evolving and adding another layer of complexity in the form of new requirements.
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Over the last three years, we have experienced one known information security breach, in connection with a ransomware incident that occurred in June 2021. Costs incurred related to the information security breach did not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. However, as cybersecurity incidents continue to increase in scope, complexity, and frequency, we may be unable to prevent a significant incident in the future which may materially impact our results of operations.
Our cybersecurity program engages third parties when necessary. In the past, we have had cybersecurity incidents and we have made, and continue to make investments, seeking to address these threats, including monitoring of networks and systems, hiring of experts to evaluate and test our systems, employee training and security policies for employees and third-party providers. All third parties that we use have been vetted and have significant reputations in the industry. As such, controls from the third-party vendors have been deemed to be adequate prior to any goods or services having been provided.
Cybersecurity Governance
Management is responsible for the development of all cybersecurity programs, including the monitoring, prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. Our Board receives quarterly reports regarding the overall cybersecurity risk management process. The Board and Audit Committee are responsible for information security oversight. Two members of the Company’s Board have relevant information security and cybersecurity experience. As part of their oversight, senior leadership meets with the Audit Committee at least annually to discuss information security and cybersecurity matters.
For additional information regarding risks related to information technology and cybersecurity, as well as governance related to managing such risks - see also Item 1.A: Risk Factors.
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Item 2. Properties.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company occupies facilities as follows:
Approximate
Square Owned
Description / Use Location Footage Or Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Arvada, Colorado 15,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Bellevue, Washington 30,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Camarillo, California 14,500 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Changzhou, China 40,000 Leased
Office Christchurch, New Zealand 27,000 Leased
Office Dayton, Ohio 29,000 Owned
Office and manufacturing facility Dayton, Ohio 25,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Dordrecht, The Netherlands 32,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Dothan, Alabama 88,000 Owned
Office and manufacturing facility Germantown, Wisconsin 99,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facilities Kelheim, Germany 154,000 Leased
Office Kidderminster, Great Britain 6,200 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility London, Ontario, Canada 48,500 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Loomis, California 3,600 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Mrakov, Czech Republic 42,000 Leased
Office Oakville, Ontario, Canada 3,500 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Owosso, Michigan 85,000 Owned
Office and manufacturing facility Porto, Portugal 53,000 Owned
Office and manufacturing facility Reynosa, Mexico 50,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Rochester, New York 15,000 Leased
Office Roseville, Michigan 5,300 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Stockholm, Sweden 25,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Suzhou, China 41,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Tulsa, Oklahoma 172,000 Leased
Office and manufacturing facility Watertown, New York 107,000 Owned
The Company’s management believes the above-described facilities are adequate to meet the Company’s current and foreseeable needs. Operating leases for the Company’s properties expire at various times through 2033. Upon the expiration of the Company’s current leases, management believes that the Company will be able to secure renewal terms or enter into leases for alterative locations at market terms.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is involved in certain actions that have arisen out of the ordinary course of business. Management believes that resolution of the actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Allient’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market System and trades under the symbol ALNT. The number of holders of record as reported by the Company’s transfer agent of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on March 5, 2024 was 218.
Dividends
During 2023 and 2022, we declared regular quarterly cash dividends on our common stock. We paid $0.025 in the first quarter of 2023 and $0.03 in the second, third, and fourth quarter of 2023, and $0.025 in each quarter of 2022. While it is our current intention to pay regular quarterly cash dividends, any decision to pay future cash dividends will be made by our Board and will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other factors.
Performance Graph
The following performance graph and tables reflect the five year change in the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return on Common Stock as compared with the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and our custom Peer Group for a $100 investment made on December 31, 2018, including reinvestment of any dividends.
The Peer Group in the above graph includes the following stocks: LSI Industries, Moog, Inc., Onto Innovation, Preformed Line, Proto Labs, Inc., Helios Tech Inc., Thermon Group, Altra Industrial Motion, Astronics Corporation, Aeroenvironment, Columbus McKinnon, Franklin Electric, and Novanta, Inc.
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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Total Number of Shares Maximum Number of Shares
(1) As permitted under the Company’s equity compensation plan, these shares were withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations for employees in connection with the vesting of stock. Shares withheld for tax withholding obligations do not affect the total number of shares available for repurchase under any approved common stock repurchase plan. At December 31, 2023, the Company did not have an authorized stock repurchase plan in place.
Item 6. [Reserved]
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Amounts presented in Item 7 are in thousands, except per share data.
Overview
We are a global company that designs, manufactures, and sells precision and specialty-controlled motion products and solutions used in a broad range of industries. Our target markets include Industrial, Vehicle, Medical, and Aerospace & Defense (A&D). We are headquartered in Amherst, NY, and have operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. We are known worldwide for our expertise in electro-magnetic, mechanical, and electronic motion technology. We sell component and integrated controlled motion solutions to end customers and OEMs through our own direct sales force and authorized manufacturers’ representatives and distributors. Our products include nano precision positioning systems, servo control systems, motion controllers, digital servo amplifiers and drives, brushless servo, torque, and coreless motors, brush motors, integrated motor-drives, gear motors, gearing, incremental and absolute optical encoders, active (electronic) and passive (magnetic) filters for power quality and harmonic issues, Industrial safety rated input/output Modules, Universal Industrial Communications Gateways, light-weighting technologies, and other controlled motion-related products.
Financial Overview
Highlights for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, include:
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We remain focused on executing our strategy for growth while streamlining the organization and emphasizing continuous improvement in quality, delivery, cost and innovation as we drive the One Allient approach and expand our value proposition for our customers. Solid strides continue to be made with our multi-product, fully integrated solutions that are leading to increased business. Also, we continue to build a pipeline of exciting market-based application opportunities. Sales cycles are long and the time from being selected for the solution development to full rate production can be longer, yet we believe we continue to build a scalable foundation which can deliver strong returns on those investments.
Our Strategy
Our growth strategy is focused on becoming a leading global controlled motion solution provider in our selected target markets by further developing our products and services platform to utilize multiple Allient technologies which create increased value solutions for our customers. Our strategy further defines Allient as being a “technology/know-how” driven company and to be successful, we continue to invest in our areas of excellence.
We have set growth targets for our Company and we will focus and align our resources to meet those targets. First and foremost, we invest in our people as we believe that attracting and retaining the right people is the most important element in our strategy. We will continue to invest significantly in applied and design engineering resources.
Our strategic focus is addressing the critical issues that we believe are necessary to meet the stated long-term goals and objectives of the Company. The majority of the critical issues are focused on growth and profitability initiatives for the Company.
One of these initiatives includes product line platform development and rationalization to meet the emerging needs of our target markets. Our platform development emphasizes a combination of our technologies to create increased value solutions for our customers while seeking operating efficiencies. The emphasis on new opportunities has evolved from being an individual component provider to becoming a solutions provider whereby the new opportunities utilizemultiple Allient technologies in a system solution approach. We believe this approach will allow us to provide increased value to our customers and improved margins for our Company and are demonstrated in our acquisitions completed in 2023 and 2022. Our strong financial condition, along with AST continuous improvement initiatives in quality, delivery, and cost allow us to have a positive outlook for the continued long-term growth of our Company.
Outlook for 2024
In recent years, we navigated a difficult environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, while advancing our strategic priorities and delivering solid results. We experienced record orders in 2023, reflecting increases in our Industrial and Vehicle markets. This demand, combined with supply chain constraints, resulted in some inefficiencies and additional costs as our teams worked hard to support and meet customer demand and schedules.
While the economic outlook for 2023 remains uncertain and we expect continued upward pressure on material and labor costs, we believe we are in a strong operational, financial and reputational position. Our record level of backlog, diversified end market penetration and demonstrated agility position us well to perform across varied market trends and
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give us confidence that we can drive further efficiency, profitable growth and increased free cash flow while delivering long-term value for our shareholders.
In 2024, we will focus on leveraging our resources to expand our business in our selected target markets. In addition, we will continue to execute the ongoing critical issues as defined by our Board approved strategy.
The critical issues from that strategy include:
Allient is an applied technology/know-how motion company, and to grow, we will continue to invest in the technical resources to ensure we can move forward with our mantra to “create controlled motion solutions that change the game” and to meet the emerging needs of our customers in our served market segments. We anticipate that our investment in these key resources will continue to drive our growth now and in the future. We expect to continue the shift from being a component supplier to a more complete solutions provider, along with the application of AST, to drive cost reduction.
Our global production footprint provides us with the opportunity to be a value added supplier for global companies who require support around the world. We will continue to evaluate and find areas to leverage our current manufacturing and sales footprint to drive sales and improve efficiencies.
In addition to our strategy described above, time and resources have been spent during 2023 to further understand the ESG ecosystem and developments impacting stakeholder expectations and assess our performance. The Company has a number of initiatives focused on individual components of ESG, and, under the oversight of the Board of Directors, is continuing to integrate ESG with our broader strategy and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). The strategy will include looking to further enhance the Company’s ability to meet ongoing and emerging challenges, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). We make estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates and judgments upon historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Changes in estimates or assumptions could result in a material adjustment to the consolidated financial statements.
We have identified several critical accounting estimates. An accounting estimate is considered critical if both: (a) the nature of the estimates or assumptions is material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment involved, and (b) the impact of changes in the estimates and assumptions would have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. This listing is not a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. For further information regarding the application of these and other accounting policies, See Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the notes to consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this report for additional information.
The Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates include:
Revenue Recognition
The Company considers control of most products to transfer at a single point in time when control is transferred to the customer, generally when the products are shipped in accordance with an agreement and/or purchase order. Control is defined as the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the product. The Company satisfies its performance obligations under a contract with a customer by transferring goods and services generally in exchange for monetary consideration from the customer. The Company considers the customer’s purchase
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order, and the Company’s corresponding sales order acknowledgment as the contract with the customer. In the normal course of business, the Company does not accept product returns unless the item is defective as manufactured. The Company establishes provisions for estimated returns and warranties. All contracts include a standard warranty clause to guarantee that the product complies with agreed specifications.
Inventories
Inventories are measured on a first-in, first-out basis at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Inventory costing requires complex calculations that include assumptions for overhead absorption, scrap, sample calculations, manufacturing yield estimates, costs to sell, and the determination of which costs may be capitalized. The Company’s estimate of the appropriate amount of obsolete or excess inventory, as well as inventory that is not of saleable quality, uses certain inputs and involves judgment. Such inputs include data associated with historic trends, the demand forecast for inventory on-hand which includes customer orders, and item specific estimates about the timing or level of demand for a specific part.
Historically, our inventory adjustment has been adequate to cover our losses. However, variations in methods or assumptions could have a material impact on our results. If our demand forecast for specific products is greater than actual demand and we fail to reduce manufacturing output accordingly, we could be required to record additional inventory write-downs or expense a greater amount of overhead costs, which would negatively impact our net income. As of December 31, 2023, we have $117,686 of inventory recorded on our consolidated balance sheet, representing approximately 20% of total assets. A 1% write-down of our inventory would decrease our 2023 net income by approximately $900, or $0.05 per diluted share.
Evaluation of Goodwill for impairment
We test the reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment as of October 31st of each fiscal year and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying value. In conducting this annual impairment test, we may first perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more-likely-than-not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value. If we determine that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, no further goodwill impairment testing is required. If it is more-likely-than-not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit, a quantitative analysis is performed, in which the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
We performed a qualitative assessment of our single reporting unit as of October 31, 2023. As part of this analysis, we evaluated factors including, but not limited to, our market capitalization and stock price performance, macro-economic conditions, market and industry conditions, cost factors, the competitive environment, and the operational stability and overall financial performance of our reporting unit. The assessment indicated that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of our reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount, and as such, a quantitative assessment was not performed.
We do not believe that our reporting unit is at risk for impairment. However, changes to the factors considered above could affect the estimated fair value of our reporting unit and could result in a goodwill impairment charge in a future period. As of December 31, 2023, we have $131,338 of goodwill recorded on our consolidated balance sheet, representing approximately 22% of total assets. A 1% write-down of our goodwill would decrease our 2023 net income by approximately $1,000, or $0.06 per diluted share.
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Business Combinations
The Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired company, including when applicable, the acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. Third party appraisal firms and other consultants are engaged to assist management in determining the fair values of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Estimating fair values requires significant judgments, estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to: discount rates, future cash flows and the economic lives of trade names, technology, customer relationships, and property, plant and equipment. These estimates are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In the normal course of business, we evaluate all new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) or other authoritative accounting bodies to determine the potential impact they may have on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the notes to consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this report for additional information about these recently issued accounting standards and their potential impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
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Operating Results
The following discussion is a comparison between fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2022 results. For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, please refer to Item 7 of Part II, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on March 7, 2023.
Year 2023 compared to 2022
December 31, Variance
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2023 2022 $ %
Gross margin percentage 31.7 % 31.3 %
Operating costs and expenses:
Effective tax rate 18.9 % 26.6 %
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.48 $ 1.09 $ 0.39 36 %
REVENUES: The increase in revenues in 2023 reflects improved sales in certain markets we serve, specifically Industrial and A&D. The increase reflects the economic recovery and the increases in demand from many of our served markets, as certain markets continued to experience supply chain constraints in the prior year period impacting customer order patterns and lead times. Our sales for 2023 were comprised of 59% to U.S. customers and 41% to customers primarily in Europe, Canada and Asia-Pacific. The overall increase in revenue was due to a 15% volume increase and a minimal foreign currency impact. The acquisitions completed in 2022 and 2023 contributed an incremental $10,057 of revenues in 2023. See information included in “Non – GAAP Measures” below for a discussion of the non-GAAP measure and reconciliation of revenue to revenue excluding foreign currency impacts.
ORDER BOOKINGS AND BACKLOG: The 8% decrease in orders in 2023 compared to 2022 is due to an 8% decrease in volume with minimal foreign currency impact. Decreases in bookings are primarily due to a normalization of customer order patterns as lead times are reducing due to improvement in the global supply chain environment and, to a lesser extent, economic softening in some European markets. The acquisitions completed in 2022 and 2023 contributed an incremental $7,380 of orders in 2023. The decrease in backlog as of December 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022 includes incremental backlog of $2,344 from the acquisition that was completed during 2023.
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GROSS PROFIT AND GROSS MARGIN: Gross margins improved to 31.7% for 2023, compared to 31.3% for 2022. The increase in gross margin percentage was largely driven by volume increases of higher margin products primarily in our Industrial and A&D markets combined with pricing and margin accretive acquisitions. The margin expansion continues to be muted, to some extent, by the continued increases in material and labor costs..
SELLING EXPENSES: Selling expenses increased 13% during 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to sales commissions related to the revenue growth as well as increased costs in connection with our acquisitions. Selling expenses as a percentage of revenues were comparable at 4% during 2023 and 2022.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES: General and administrative expenses increased by 15% during 2023 compared to 2022 due primarily to incentive compensation-related expenses due to current year Company performance and increased costs in connection with our acquisitions. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses were comparable at 10% in both 2023 and 2022.
ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES: Engineering and development expenses increased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase is primarily due to the continued ramp up of development projects to meet the future needs of target markets and supporting growing customer application development needs, as well as increased costs in connection with our acquisitions. As a percentage of revenues, engineering and development expenses were 7% and 8% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COSTS: The increase in business development costs in 2023 compared to 2022 is largely due to fair value changes of contingent consideration of $1.9 million related to acquisitions, manufacturing footprint rationalization, and costs incurred due to current period acquisition activities, offset by lower acquisition-related costs in 2023.
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Amortization of intangible assets increased 10% in 2023 compared to 2022, due to the inclusion of the full year of intangible asset amortization of the 2022 acquisitions and, to a lesser extent, the incremental intangible asset amortization from the 2023 acquisition.
INTEREST EXPENSE: Interest expense increased by 61% in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to higher interest rates, offset in part by the impact of interest rate swaps.
INCOME TAXES: For 2023 and 2022, the effective income tax rate was 18.9% and 26.6%, respectively. The effective rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes, the impact of foreign tax provisions in the U.S., foreign tax rate differences, Section 162(m) compensation limits, and the benefit of Research and Development tax credits and incentives. The effective tax rate for 2023 was lower than the effective tax rate for 2022 primarily due to increases in certain credits and incentives, the realization of certain deferred income tax assets that had been reserved in prior years, as well as the impact of the mix of foreign and domestic income.
NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED NET INCOME: Net income increased during 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to operating income increases, reflecting increased revenues and higher gross margin, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses and interest expense.
Adjusted net income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $37,458 and $29,971, respectively. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2023 and 2022 were $2.30 and $1.88, respectively. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures. See information included in “Non–GAAP Measures” below for a discussion of the non-GAAP measure and reconciliation of net income to Adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share to Adjusted diluted earnings per share.
EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA: EBITDA was $67,151 for 2023 compared to $56,859 for 2022. Adjusted EBITDA was $77,184 and $65,549 for 2023 and 2022, respectively. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. EBITDA consists of income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes stock-based compensation expense, foreign currency gain/loss and certain other items. Refer to information included in “Non-GAAP Measures” below for a discussion of the non-GAAP measure and a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.
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Non-GAAP Measures
Organic growth, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share are provided for information purposes only and are not measures of financial performance under GAAP.
Management believes the presentation of these financial measures reflecting non-GAAP adjustments provides important supplemental information to investors and other users of our financial statements in evaluating the operating results of the Company as distinct from results that include items that are not indicative of ongoing operating results. In particular, those charges and credits that are not directly related to operating unit performance, and that are not a helpful measure of the performance of our underlying business particularly in light of their unpredictable nature. These non-GAAP disclosures have limitations as analytical tools, should not be viewed as a substitute for revenue and net income determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. In addition, supplemental presentation should not be construed as an inference that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by similar adjustments to net income determined in accordance with GAAP.
The Company believes that revenue excluding foreign currency exchange impacts is a useful measure in analyzing sales results. The Company excludes the effect of currency translation from revenue for this measure because currency translation is not under management’s control, is subject to volatility and can obscure underlying business trends. The portion of revenue attributable to currency translation is calculated as the difference between the current period revenue and the current period revenue after applying foreign exchange rates from the prior period.
The Company believes EBITDA is often a useful measure of a Company’s operating performance and is a significant basis used by the Company’s management to measure the operating performance of the Company’s business because EBITDA excludes charges for depreciation, amortization and interest expense that have resulted from our debt financings, acquisitions, as well as our provision for income tax expense. EBITDA is frequently used as one of the bases for comparing businesses in the Company’s industry.
The Company also believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides helpful information about the operating performance of its business. Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation expense, as well as business development costs, foreign currency gains/losses on short-term assets and liabilities, and other items that are not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure for determining operating performance or liquidity that is calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Management uses Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share to assess the Company’s consolidated financial and operating performance. Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share are provided for informational purposes only and are not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. These measures help management make decisions that are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieving optimal financial performance. Adjusted net income provides management with a measure of financial performance of the Company based on operational factors as it removes the impact of certain non-routine items from the Company’s operating results. Adjusted diluted earnings per share provides management with an indication of how Adjusted net income would be reflected on a per share basis for comparison to the GAAP diluted earnings per share measure. Adjusted net income is a key metric used by senior management and the Company’s Board of Directors to review the consolidated financial performance of the business. This measure adjusts net income determined in accordance with GAAP to reflect changes in financial results associated with the highlighted expense and income items. Organic growth is reported revenues adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and the revenue contribution from acquisitions.
The Company’s calculation of organic growth for 2023 is as follows:
Year ended
Revenue increase over prior year 15.0 %
Less: Impact of acquisitions and foreign currency 1.9
Organic growth 13.1 %
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The Company’s calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 and 2022 is as follows (in thousands):
Year ended
December 31,
Stock-based compensation expense 5,477 5,073
Business development costs 4,275 3,319