EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 30305
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 30305_10-K_2022_0001628280-22-003518.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Ducommun Incorporated (“Ducommun,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading global provider of engineering and manufacturing services for high-performance products and high-cost-of failure applications used primarily in the aerospace and defense (“A&D”), industrial, medical and other industries (collectively, “Industrial”). Ducommun differentiates itself as a full-service solution-based provider, offering innovative, value-added proprietary products and manufacturing solutions to our customers in our primary businesses of electronics, structures, and integrated solutions. We operate through two primary business segments: Electronic Systems and Structural Systems. We are the successor to a business that was founded in California in 1849 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1970.
ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions have been an important element of our growth strategy. We have supplemented our organic growth by identifying, acquiring and integrating acquisition opportunities that result in broader, more sophisticated product and service offerings while diversifying and expanding our customer base and markets.
For example, on December 16, 2021, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Magnetic Seal LLC (f/k/a Magnetic Seal Corporation, “MagSeal”), a privately-held leading provider of high-impact, military-proven magnetic seals for critical systems in aerospace and defense applications, offering sealing solutions that are engineered to perform in high-speed, high-vibration, and other challenging environments for $69.5 million, net of cash acquired. A portion of the purchase price was funded by drawing down on our revolving credit facility. This draw down on our revolving credit facility was paid off by December 31, 2021. The acquisition of MagSeal will continue to advance our strategy to diversify and offer more customized, value-driven engineered products with aftermarket opportunities, and is included in our Structural Systems segment.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Business Segment Information
We operate through two primary strategic businesses, Electronic Systems and Structural Systems, each of which is a reportable segment. The results of operations among our operating segments vary due to differences in competitors, customers, extent of proprietary deliverables and performance. Electronic Systems designs, engineers and manufactures high-reliability electronic and electromechanical products used in worldwide technology-driven markets including A&D and Industrial end-use markets. Electronic Systems’ product offerings primarily range from prototype development to complex assemblies as discussed in more detail below. Structural Systems designs, engineers and manufactures various sizes of complex contoured aerostructure components and assemblies and supplies composite and metal bonded structures and assemblies. Structural Systems’ products are primarily used on commercial aircraft, military fixed-wing aircraft and military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft.
Electronic Systems
Electronic Systems has multiple major product offerings in electronics manufacturing for diverse, high-reliability applications: complex cable assemblies and interconnect systems, printed circuit board assemblies, higher-level electronic, electromechanical, and mechanical components and assemblies, and lightning diversion systems. Components, assemblies, and lightning diversion products are provided principally for domestic and foreign commercial and military fixed-wing aircraft, military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft and space programs. Further, we provide select industrial high-reliability applications for the industrial, medical, and other end-use markets. We build custom, high-performance electronics and electromechanical systems. Our products include sophisticated radar enclosures, aircraft avionics racks and shipboard communications and control enclosures, printed circuit board assemblies, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and interconnect systems, lightning diversion strips, surge suppressors, conformal shields and other high-level complex assemblies. Electronic
Systems utilizes a highly-integrated production process, including manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, machining, assembly, electronic integration, and related processes. Engineering, technical and program management services are provided to a wide range of customers.
In response to customer needs and utilizing our in-depth engineering expertise, Electronic Systems is also considered a leading supplier of engineered products including, illuminated pushbutton switches and panels for aviation and test systems, microwave and millimeter switches and filters for radio frequency systems and test instrumentation, and motors and resolvers for motion control.
Electronic Systems also provides engineering expertise for aerospace system design, development, integration, and testing. We leverage the knowledge base, capabilities, talent, and technologies of this focused capability into direct support of our customers.
Structural Systems
Structural Systems has three major product offerings to support a global customer base: commercial aircraft, military fixed-wing aircraft, and military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft. Our applications include structural components, structural assemblies, bonded (metal and composite) components, precision profile extrusions and extruded assemblies, ammunition handling systems, and magnetic seals. In the structural components products, Structural Systems provides design services, engineers, and manufacturing of large complex contoured aluminum, titanium and Inconel aerostructure components for the aerospace industry. Structural assembly products include winglets, engine components, and fuselage structural panels for aircraft. Metal and composite bonded structures and assemblies products include aircraft wing spoilers, large fuselage skins, rotor blades on rotary-wing aircraft and components, flight control surfaces, engine components, ammunition handling systems, and magnetic seals. To support these products, Structural Systems maintains advanced machine milling, stretch-forming, hot-forming, metal bonding, composite layup, and chemical milling capabilities and has an extensive engineering capability to support both design services and manufacturing.
AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE END-USE MARKETS OVERVIEW
Our largest end-use markets are the aerospace and defense markets and our revenues from these markets represented 94% of our total net revenues in 2021. These markets are serviced by suppliers which are stratified, from the highest value provided to the lowest, into four tiers: original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three. The OEMs provide the highest value and are also known as prime contractors (“Primes”). We derive a significant portion of our revenues from subcontracts with OEMs. As the prime contractor for various programs and platforms, the OEMs sell to their customers, who may include, depending upon the application, the U.S. Federal Government, foreign, state and local governments, global commercial airline carriers, regional jet carriers and various other customers. The OEMs also sell to global leasing companies that lease commercial aircraft. A significant portion of our revenues is earned from subcontracts with the Primes. Tier One suppliers manufacture aircraft sections and purchase assemblies. Tier Two suppliers provide more complex, value-added parts and may also assume more design risk, manufacturing risk, supply chain risk and project management risk than Tier Three suppliers. Tier Three suppliers principally provide components or detailed parts. We currently compete with Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three suppliers. Our business growth strategy is to differentiate ourselves from competitors by providing more complex assemblies to our customers as a higher value added supplier.
Commercial Aerospace End-Use Market
The commercial aerospace end-use market is highly cyclical and is impacted by the level of global air passenger traffic in general, which in turn is influenced by global economic conditions, fleet fuel and maintenance costs and geopolitical developments. Revenues from the commercial aerospace end-use market represented 24% of our total net revenues for 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused and continues to cause an unprecedented adverse impact to demand for civil air travel, creating a significant challenge for some of our customers and the entire commercial aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the number of infections from COVID-19 continues to decline in various parts of the world, along with the increase in the number of people being fully vaccinated, it should result in the steady increase in consumer confidence on the safety of air travel. The latest International Air Transport Association (“IATA”) release reported that passenger traffic in 2021 recovered to approximately 40% of 2019 levels even as international markets faced continued reopening challenges. In addition, global economic activity is improving, but continues to be impacted by COVID-19, and governments continue to restrict travel to contain the spread of the virus. While the recovery is accelerating, we continue to expect that it will remain uneven as travel restrictions and varying regional travel protocols impact air travel.
Further, airline financial performance, which also plays a role in the demand for new capacity, has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to IATA, net losses in 2021 for the airline industry are expected to be approximately $52 billion, compared to $138 billion in 2020. Our customers are taking actions to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
on the market by preserving liquidity. This comes in many forms such as deferral of advances and other payments to suppliers, deferrals of deliveries, reduced spending, and in some cases, cancellation of orders. While the outlook is improving and new orders are increasing in 2021, we continue to face a challenging environment in the near to medium-term as airlines have adjusted to reduced air traffic, which in turn, has resulted in lower demand for commercial aerospace products. The current environment is also affecting the financial viability of some airlines.
In The Boeing Company’s (“Boeing”) 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), they indicated that they expect commercial air travel to return to 2019 levels in 2023 to 2024, and a few years beyond that for the industry to return to the long-term trend growth.
The long-term outlook for the industry remains positive due to the fundamental drivers of air travel demand: economic growth, increasing propensity to travel due to increased trade, globalization, and improved airline services driven by liberalization of air traffic rights between countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the near to medium-term demand, but Boeing’s commercial market outlook forecast projects a four percent growth rate for passenger and cargo traffic over a 20 year period. Based on long-term global economic growth projections of two and seven tenths percent average annual gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth, Boeing projects demand for 43,610 new airplanes over the next 20 years. However, the industry remains vulnerable to various developments including fuel price spikes, credit market fluctuations, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, conflicts, epidemics, pandemics, and increased global environmental regulations. We believe we are well positioned given our product capabilities and our initiatives to increase operating efficiencies to participate in the near term recovery and the long term projected growth rate for commercial air traffic and build rates for large commercial aircraft for the airframe manufacturing industry. If the recovery is slower than anticipated or any of those various developments occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and/or cash flows.
Defense End-Use Market
Our defense end-use market includes products used in military and space, including technologies and structures applications. The defense end-use market is highly cyclical and is impacted by the level of government defense spending. Government defense spending is impacted by national defense policies and priorities, political climates, fiscal budgetary constraints, U.S. Federal budget deficits, projected economic growth and the level of global military or security threats, or other conflicts. Revenues from the military and space end-use market in 2021 represented 70% of our total net revenues during 2021.
The FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”), enacted by the U.S. President in December 2021, is the annual policy bill that establishes, continues, or modifies federal programs, and provides the prerequisites for Congress to appropriate budget authority for defense programs. The FY 2022 NDAA authorized approximately $25 billion more than the U.S. President requested in the FY 2022 budget request. However, there continues to be uncertainty with respect to future program-level appropriations for the U.S. DoD and other government agencies. Future budget cuts or investment priority changes, including changes associated with the authorizations and appropriations process, could result in reductions, cancellations, and/or delays of existing contracts or programs. Any of these impacts could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, and/or cash flows. For additional information related to our revenues from customers whose principal sales are to the U.S. Government and our direct sales to the U.S. Government, see “Risk Factors” contained within Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”).
INDUSTRIAL END-USE MARKETS OVERVIEW
Our industrial, medical and other (collectively, “Industrial”) end-use markets are diverse and are impacted by the customers’ needs for increasing electronic content and a desire to outsource. Factors expected to impact these markets include capital and industrial goods spending and general economic conditions. Our products are used in heavy industrial manufacturing systems and certain medical applications. Revenues from the Industrial end-use markets were 6% of our total net revenues during 2021.
We believe our business in these markets in the long-term, is stable and we are well positioned in these markets even though the COVID-19 pandemic has had and will continue to have at least a near term impact on our business.
SALES AND MARKETING
Our commercial revenues are substantially dependent on airframe manufacturers’ production rates of new aircraft. Deliveries of new aircraft by airframe manufacturers are dependent on the demand and financial capacity of its customers, primarily airlines and leasing companies, to purchase the aircraft. Thus, revenues from commercial aircraft could be affected as a result of changes in new aircraft orders, or the cancellation or deferral by airlines of purchases of ordered aircraft. Further, our revenues from commercial aircraft programs could be affected by changes in our customers’ inventory levels and changes in our customers’ aircraft production build rates. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, while both major large aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus SE (“Airbus”), have announced a ramp up in build rates, it will take longer to reach pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. While the ramp up in production and demand will be slower in the near and medium future, we
will continue to identify opportunities to expand our presence and offerings with both major large aircraft manufacturers and their supply chain.
Military components manufactured by us are employed in many of the country’s front-line fighters, bombers, rotary-wing aircraft and support aircraft, as well as land and sea-based applications. Our defense business is diversified among a number of military manufacturers and programs. In the space sector, we are expanding our presence with unmanned aerial vehicles and continue to support various satellite programs.
Our sales into the Industrial end-use markets are customer focused in the various markets and driven primarily by their capital spending and manufacturing outsourcing demands.
We continue to broaden and diversify our customer base in the end-use markets we serve by providing innovative product and service solutions by drawing on our core competencies, experience and technical expertise. Net revenues related to military and space, commercial aerospace, and Industrial end-use markets in 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Many of our contracts are firm fixed price contracts subject to termination at the convenience of the customer (as well as for default). In the event of termination for convenience, the customer generally is required to pay the costs we have incurred and certain other fees through the date of termination, plus a reasonable profit. Larger, long-term government subcontracts may have provisions for milestone payments, progress payments or cash advances for purchase of inventory.
Our marketing efforts primarily consist of developing strong, long-term relationships with our customers, which provide the basis for future sales. These close relationships allow us to gain a better insight into each customer’s business needs, identify ways to provide greater value to the customer, and allow us to be designated early in the design process for various products and/or high volume products.
SEASONALITY
The timing of our revenues is governed by the purchasing patterns of our customers, and, as a result, we may not generate revenues equally during the year. However, no material portion of our business is considered to be seasonal.
MAJOR CUSTOMERS
We currently generate the majority of our revenues from the aerospace and defense industries. As a result, we have significant revenues from certain customers. The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Raytheon Technologies Corporation (“Raytheon”) were our largest customers, with Boeing generating 8% and Raytheon generating 24% of our 2021 net revenues. Revenues from our top 10 customers, including Boeing and Raytheon were 61% of total net revenues during 2021. Net revenues by major customer for 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Net revenues from our customers, except the U.S. Government, are diversified over a number of different military and space, commercial aerospace, industrial, medical and other products. For additional information on revenues from major customers, see Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
We perform concurrent engineering with our customers and product development activities under our self-funded programs, as well as under contracts with others. Concurrent engineering and product development activities are performed for commercial, military and space applications.
RAW MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS
Raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of our products include aluminum, titanium, steel and carbon fibers, as well as a wide variety of electronic interconnect and circuit card assemblies and components. These raw materials are generally available from a number of suppliers and are generally in adequate supply. However, from time to time, and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced increases in lead times for and limited availability of, aluminum, titanium and certain other raw materials and/or components. Moreover, certain components, supplies and raw materials for our operations are purchased from single source suppliers and occasionally, directed by our customers. In such instances, we strive to develop alternative sources and design modifications to minimize the potential for business interruptions.
COMPETITION
The markets we serve are highly competitive, and our products and services are affected by varying degrees of competition. We compete worldwide with domestic and international companies in most markets. These companies may have competitive advantages as a result of greater financial resources, economies of scale and bundled products and services that we do not offer. Additional information related to competition is discussed in Risk Factors contained within Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K. Our ability to compete depends principally upon the breadth of our technical capabilities, the quality of our goods and services, competitive pricing, product performance, design and engineering capabilities, new product innovation, the ability to solve specific customer needs, and customer relationships.
PATENTS AND LICENSES
We have several patents, but we do not believe that our operations are dependent upon any single patent or group of patents. In general, we rely on technical superiority, continual product improvement, exclusive product features, superior lead time, on-time delivery performance, quality, and customer relationships to maintain our competitive advantage.
REMAINING PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS AND BACKLOG
We define performance obligations as customer placed purchase orders (“POs”) with firm fixed price and firm delivery dates. The majority of the long-term agreements (“LTAs”) we enter into do not meet the definition of a contract under Accounting Standards Codification 606 (“ASC 606”) and thus, the backlog amount is greater than the remaining performance obligations amount as defined under ASC 606. Revenue based on remaining performance obligations is subject to delivery delays or program cancellations, which are beyond our control. Remaining performance obligations were $814.1 million at December 31, 2021. We anticipate recognizing an estimated 70% or $570.0 million of our remaining performance obligations during 2022.
We define backlog as potential revenue that is based on customer placed POs and LTAs with firm fixed price and expected delivery dates of 24 months or less. Backlog is subject to delivery delays or program cancellations, which are beyond our
control. Backlog is affected by timing differences in the placement of customer orders, and tends to be concentrated in several programs to a greater extent, than our net revenues. Backlog in Industrial markets tends to be of a shorter duration and is generally fulfilled within a three month period. As a result of these factors, trends in our overall level of backlog may not be indicative of trends in our future net revenues. Backlog was $905.2 million at December 31, 2021, compared to $807.7 million at December 31, 2020. The increase in backlog was primarily in the commercial aerospace end-use market and industrial end-use market.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Our business, operations and facilities are subject to numerous stringent federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations issued by government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). Among other matters, these regulatory authorities impose requirements that regulate the emission, discharge, generation, management, transport and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, pollutants and contaminants. These regulations govern public and private response actions to hazardous or regulated substances that could be or have been released into the environment, or endanger human health, and they require us to obtain and maintain licenses and permits in connection with our operations. We may also be required to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at sites associated with past and present operations. Additionally, this extensive regulatory framework imposes significant compliance burdens and risks on us. We anticipate that capital expenditures will continue to be required for the foreseeable future to upgrade and maintain our environmental compliance efforts, however, we do not expect such expenditures to be material in 2022 and the near term.
Structural Systems has been directed by California environmental agencies to investigate and take corrective action for groundwater contamination at its facilities located in Adelanto (a.k.a., El Mirage) and Monrovia, California. Based on currently available information, we have accrued $1.5 million at December 31, 2021 for our estimated liabilities related to these sites. For further information, see Note 14 in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K. In addition, see Risk Factors contained within Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for certain risks related to environmental matters.
HUMAN CAPITAL
Our employees are critical to our success. We promote a culture of honesty, respect, trust, and teamwork through our Code of Business Conduct. Also, we have been engaged in a number of social matters and issues, both within the Company in our management of human capital, and externally with our community based initiatives.
Employee Safety and Health
The safety of our workforce is our highest priority as evidenced by our initial and continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we focus on protecting the health and safety of our employees and establishing a safe work environment by following the COVID-19 safety recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at all of our facilities.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion is important to our current and future success. We implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives in 2019 to help accelerate the process of developing a diverse talent pool. To that end, we are seeing an increase in the number of women and individuals from underrepresented communities being promoted into leadership roles. In 2020, we partnered with the Fund II Foundation to utilize its innovative internX platform to provide access to highly qualified and diverse science, technology, engineering and math (“STEM”) students. We believe a diverse hiring process at the intern level will result in inclusive hiring going forward and help us develop a diverse leadership team as our interns continue in their careers.
Talent Acquisition, Retention, and Development
We attract, develop, and retain employee talent by offering competitive compensation packages and fostering a culture of care about their well-being. In addition, we endeavor to be a proactive corporate citizen by being responsive and supportive of the needs of our employees to attract qualified talent. We strive to provide opportunities for qualified members of underrepresented communities and women for advancement within our company and award scholarships to the children and grandchildren of our employees so that they may develop the skills that will support their entry into the workforce. In addition, in 2018, we implemented an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) to provide employees the opportunity to share in the ownership of our company and benefit from our performance through the purchase of our company’s stock. The ESPP allows eligible employees to accumulate contributions through after-tax payroll deductions to purchase shares of our company’s stock at a 15% discount and serves as one of the key retention mechanisms for our human capital.
Workforce Demographics
As of December 31, 2021, we had a highly skilled workforce of 2,480 employees, of which 465 are subject to collective bargaining agreements expiring in April 2022 and June 2024. Historically, we have been successful in negotiating renewals to expiring agreements without material disruption of operating activities, and believe our relations with our employees are good. See Risk Factors contained within Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for additional information regarding certain risks related to our employees.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
General information about us can be obtained from our website address at www.ducommun.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, if any, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information included on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding SEC registrants, including our company.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. We have summarized below the significant, known material risks to our business. Additional risk factors not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Any of these risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause our future financial results to differ materially from recent financial results or from currently anticipated future financial results. The risk factors below should be considered together with the information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) as well as other required filings by us with the SEC.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE RISKS
Our indebtedness could limit our financing options, adversely affect our financial condition, and prevent us from fulfilling our debt obligations.
In December 2019, we completed the refinancing of a portion of our existing debt by entering into a new revolving credit facility (“2019 Revolving Credit Facility”) to replace the then existing revolving credit facility that was entered into in November 2018 (“2018 Revolving Credit Facility”) and entered into a new term loan (“2019 Term Loan”). The 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is a $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility that matures on December 20, 2024 replacing the $100.0 million 2018 Revolving Credit Facility that would have matured on November 21, 2023. The 2019 Term Loan is a $140.0 million senior secured term loan that matures on December 20, 2024. We also have an existing $240.0 million senior secured term loan that was entered into in November 2018 that matures on November 21, 2025 (“2018 Term Loan”). The original amounts available under the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility, 2019 Term Loan, and 2018 Term Loan (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”) in aggregate, totaled $480.0 million. In conjunction with entering into the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility and the 2019 Term Loan, we drew down the entire $140.0 million on the 2019 Term Loan and used those proceeds to pay off and close the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility of $58.5 million, paid down a portion of the 2018 Term Loan of $56.0 million, paid the accrued interest associated with the amounts being paid down on the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility and 2018 Term Loan, paid the fees related to this transaction, and the remainder available for general corporate purposes. The $56.0 million, pay down on the 2018 Term Loan paid all the required quarterly installment payments on the 2018 Term Loan until maturity.
At December 31, 2021, we had a total of $287.7 million of outstanding long-term debt under the Credit Facilities. The total long-term debt was primarily the result of our acquisitions, including LaBarge, Inc. in 2011, Lightning Diversion Systems, LLC (“LDS”) in September 2017, Certified Thermoplastics Co., LLC (“CTP”) in April 2018, and Nobles Worldwide, Inc. (“Nobles”) in October 2019.
Our ability to obtain additional financing or complete a debt refinancing in the future may be limited. Should we not have ready access to capital markets, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as selling assets; reducing or delaying scheduled expansions and/or capital investments; or seeking various other forms of capital. Our ability to complete reasonable alternative financing plans may be affected by circumstances and economic events outside of our control. We cannot ensure that we would be able to refinance our debt or enter into alternative financing plans in adequate amounts on commercially reasonable terms, terms acceptable to us or at all, or that such plans guarantee that we would be able to meet our debt obligations.
Our level of debt could:
•limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;
•require a portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows available for working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;
•increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions;
•place us at a disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors;
•expose us to the risk of increased borrowing costs and higher interest rates as all of our borrowings under our Credit Facilities bear interest at variable rates, which could further adversely impact our cash flows;
•limit our flexibility to plan for and react to changes in our business and the industry in which we compete;
•restrict us from making strategic acquisitions;
•expose us to risk of unfavorable changes in the global credit markets; and
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Credit Facilities and our other debt.
The occurrence of any one of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to satisfy our obligations in respect of our outstanding debt.
We require a considerable amount of cash to run our business.
Our ability to make payments on our debt in the future and to fund planned capital expenditures and working capital needs, will depend upon our ability to generate significant cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is subject to economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that may be beyond our control.
The terms of the 2019 Term Loan require that we make installment payments of 1.25% of the initial outstanding principal balance on a quarterly basis, on the last day of each calendar quarter. We were required to make installment payments of 0.25% of the outstanding principal balance of the 2018 Term Loan amount on a quarterly basis, however, the $56.0 million we paid as part of the December 2019 refinancing paid all the required quarterly installment payments on the 2018 Term Loan until maturity. In addition, if we exceed the annual excess cash flow threshold, we are required to make an annual additional principal payment based on the consolidated adjusted leverage ratio. Further, the undrawn portion of the commitment of the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.275%, based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio.
On December 16, 2021, we entered into a sale-leaseback transaction for the building and related land for our Gardena performance center located in Carson, California (“Sale-Leaseback Agreement”). The building and related land was sold for $143.1 million and we recognized a gain of $132.5 million. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion. Also on December 16, 2021, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Magnetic Seal LLC (f/k/a Magnetic Seal Corporation, “MagSeal”), for a purchase price of $69.5 million, net of cash acquired, all payable in cash. A portion of the proceeds from the sale-leaseback transaction was subsequently utilized to pay down the amount drawn on the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility to close the MagSeal acquisition. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
On November 29, 2021, we entered into forward interest rate swaps, all with an effective date of January 1, 2024, for an aggregate total notional amount of $150.0 million, weighted average fixed rate of 1.8%, and all terminating on January 1, 2031 (“Forward Interest Rate Swaps”). In October 2015, we entered into interest rate cap hedges designated as cash flow hedges, with a portion of these interest rate cap hedges maturing on a quarterly basis, with notional value in aggregate, totaling $135.0 million. However, all of these interest rate cap hedges matured in June 2020. At December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance on the Credit Facilities was $287.7 million with an average interest rate of 3.27%. Should interest rates increase significantly, our debt service cost will increase. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flow could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 1 and Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
While we expect to meet all of our financial obligations, we cannot ensure that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs.
We require a considerable amount of cash to fund our anticipated voluntary principal prepayments on our Credit Facilities.
Our ability to continue to reduce the debt outstanding under our Credit Facilities through voluntary principal prepayments will be a contributing factor to our ability to keep our interest rate towards the lower end of the interest rate range as defined in the Credit Facilities. Our ability to make such prepayments will depend upon our ability to generate significant cash in the future. We cannot ensure that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund any such prepayments.
The covenants in our Credit Facilities impose restrictions that may limit our operating and financial flexibility.
We are required to comply with a leverage covenant as defined in the 2018 Term Loan agreement. The leverage covenant is defined as Consolidated Funded Indebtedness less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of $5.0 million, divided by consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and other adjustments.
At December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with the leverage covenant under the Credit Facilities. However, there is no assurance that we will continue to be in compliance with the leverage covenant in future periods.
The Credit Facilities’ agreements contains a number of significant restrictions and covenants that limit our ability, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens, to make certain payments, to make certain investments, to engage in transactions with affiliates, to sell certain assets or enter into mergers.
These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, they may restrict our ability to expand, pursue our business strategies and otherwise conduct our business. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by circumstances and events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and we cannot ensure that we will be able to comply with such covenants. These restrictions also limit our ability to obtain future financings to withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general.
A breach of any covenant in the Credit Facilities could result in a default under the Credit Facilities. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the agreement. A default could permit our lenders to foreclose on any of our assets securing such debt. Even if new financing were available at that time, it may not be on terms or amounts that are acceptable to us or terms as favorable as our current agreements. If our debt is in default for any reason, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We may be adversely affected by changes in LIBOR reporting practices, the method in which LIBOR is determined, or the LIBOR replacement rate.
In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority, the authority that regulates London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”), announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. However, for USD-LIBOR, the relevant date has been deferred to at least June 30, 2023 for certain tenors and at which time, the LIBOR administrator has indicated it intends to cease publication of USD-LIBOR. Despite this deferral, the LIBOR administrator has advised that no new contracts using USD-LIBOR should be entered into after December 31, 2021. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a spread that is based on historical data as the rate that represents the best practice as the alternative to USD-LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to USD-LIBOR. The intent of the LIBOR replacement rate is that it will not result in financial market disruptions, significant increases in benchmark rates, or financing costs to borrowers. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could result in an increase in the cost of our variable rate debt.
While $150.0 million of our debt will become fixed rate debt beginning on January 1, 2024 as a result of our Forward Interest Rate Swaps, all of our debt is variable debt until such time. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
The typical trading volume of our common stock may affect an investor’s ability to sell significant stock holdings in the future without negatively impacting stock price.
The level of trading activity may vary daily and typically represents only a small percentage of outstanding shares. As a result, a stockholder who sells a significant amount of shares in a short period of time could negatively affect our share price.
Our amount of debt may require us to raise additional capital to fund acquisitions.
We may sell additional shares of common stock or other equity securities to raise capital in the future, which could dilute the value of an investor’s holdings.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL RISKS
Our end-use markets are cyclical.
We sell our products into aerospace, defense, and industrial end-use markets, which are cyclical and have experienced periodic declines. Our sales are, therefore, unpredictable and may tend to fluctuate based on a number of factors, including global economic conditions, geopolitical developments and conditions, pandemics, and other developments affecting our end-use markets and the customers served. Consequently, results of operations in any period should not be considered indicative of the operating results that may be experienced in any future period.
We depend upon a selected base of industries and customers, which subjects us to unique risks which may adversely affect us.
We currently generate a majority of our revenues from customers in the aerospace and defense industry. Our business depends, in part, on the level of new military and commercial aircraft orders. As a result, we have significant sales to certain customers. Sales to The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (“Spirit”) comprise a significant portion of our commercial aerospace end-use market. A significant portion of our net sales in our military and space end-use markets are made under subcontracts with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), under their prime contracts with the U. S. Government. We had significant sales to Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed Martin”), Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Northrop”), and Raytheon Technologies Corporation (“Raytheon”) in 2021 in our defense technologies end-use market.
Our customers may experience delays in the launch of new products, labor strikes, diminished liquidity or credit unavailability, weak demand for their products, or other difficulties in their business. In addition, shifts in government spending priorities have caused and may continue to cause additional uncertainty in the placement of orders.
Our revenues from our top ten customers, which represented 61% of our total 2021 net revenues, were diversified over a number of different aerospace and defense products. Any significant change in production rates by these customers would have a material effect on our results of operations and cash flows. There is no assurance that our current significant customers will continue to buy products from us at current levels, or that we will retain any or all of our existing customers, or that we will be able to form new relationships with customers upon the loss of one or more of our existing customers. This risk may be further complicated by pricing pressures, competition prevalent in our industry and other factors. A significant reduction in sales to any of our major customers, the loss of a major customer, or a default of a major customer on accounts receivable could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Boeing was one of our largest customers in 2021, and the 737 MAX was one of our highest commercial end use market revenue platforms. In late 2020, Boeing began receiving regulatory approval for its 737 MAX to return to service from some of the major civil aviation regulators around the world and thus, we began seeing a modest ramp up in our production rates during 2021. Revenue growth with our other commercial customers and defense OEMs (also known as prime contractors) has helped to mitigate a significant portion of this risk for the time being. However, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dampened civil air travel demand in many markets, and if traveler confidence does not return in the near future, it may make it difficult to continue to offset a significant portion of this risk.
We generally make sales under purchase orders and contracts that are subject to cancellation, modification or rescheduling. Changes in the economic environment and the financial condition of the industries we serve could result in customer cancellation of contractual orders or requests for rescheduling. Some of our contracts have specific provisions relating to schedule and performance, and failure to deliver in accordance with such provisions could result in cancellations, modifications, rescheduling and/or penalties, in some cases at the customers’ convenience and without prior notice. While we have normally recovered our direct and indirect costs plus profit, such cancellations, modifications, or rescheduling that cannot be replaced in a timely fashion, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
A significant portion of our business depends upon U.S. Government defense spending.
We derive a significant portion of our business from customers whose principal sales are to the U.S. Government. Accordingly, the success of our business depends upon government spending generally or for specific departments or agencies in particular. Such spending, among other factors, is subject to the uncertainties of governmental appropriations and national defense policies and priorities, constraints of the budgetary process, timing and potential changes in these policies and priorities, and the adoption of new laws or regulations or changes to existing laws or regulations.
These and other factors could cause the government and government agencies, or prime contractors that use us as a subcontractor, to reduce their purchases under existing contracts, to exercise their rights to terminate contracts for convenience or to abstain from exercising options to renew contracts, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, the levels of U.S. Department of Defense (“U.S. DoD”) spending in future periods are difficult to predict and are impacted by numerous factors such as the political environment, U.S. foreign policy, macroeconomic conditions and the ability of the U.S. Government to enact relevant legislation such as the authorization and appropriations bills. The Budget Control Act (“2011 Act”) established limits on U.S. government discretionary spending, including a reduction of defense spending between the 2012 and 2021 U.S. Government fiscal years. Accordingly, long-term uncertainty remains with respect to overall levels of defense spending and it is likely that U.S. Government discretionary spending levels will continue to be subject to pressure.
Exports of certain of our products are subject to various export control regulations and authorizations, and we may not be successful in obtaining the necessary U.S. Government approvals and related export licenses for proposed sales to certain foreign customers.
We must comply with numerous laws and regulations relating to the export of some of our products before we are permitted to sell those products outside the United States. Compliance often entails the submission and timely receipt of the necessary export approvals, licenses, or authorizations from the U.S. Government. Over the last several years, the U.S. export licensing environment for munitions has been adversely affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the changing geopolitical environment and heightened tensions with other countries (which shift and evolve over time). Accordingly, we can give no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining, in a timely manner or at all, the approvals, licenses or authorizations we need to sell our products outside the United States, which may result in the cancellation of orders and significant penalties to our customers if we do not make deliveries and fulfill our contractual commitments. Any significant delay in, or impairment of, our ability to sell products outside of the United States could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Contracts with some of our customers, including Federal government contracts, contain provisions which give our customers a variety of rights that are unfavorable to us and the OEMs to whom we provide products and services, including the ability to terminate a contract at any time for convenience.
Contracts with some of our customers, including Federal government contracts, contain provisions and are subject to laws and regulations that provide rights and remedies not typically found in commercial contracts. These provisions may allow our customers to:
•terminate existing contracts, in whole or in part, for convenience, as well as for default, or if funds for contract performance for any subsequent year become unavailable;
•terminate existing contracts if we are suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government or with a governmental agency;
•prohibit future procurement awards with a particular agency as a result of a finding of an organizational conflict of interest based upon prior related work performed for the agency that would give a contractor an unfair advantage over competing contractors; and
•claim rights in products and systems produced by us.
If the U.S. Government terminates a contract for convenience, the counterparty with whom we have contracted on a subcontract may terminate its contract with us. As a result of any such termination, whether on a direct government contract or subcontract, we may recover only our incurred or committed costs, settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to the termination. If the U.S. Government terminates a direct contract with us for default, we may not even recover those amounts and instead may be liable for excess costs incurred by the U.S. Government in procuring undelivered items and services from another source.
In addition, the U.S. Government is typically required to open all programs to competitive bidding and, therefore, may not automatically renew any of its prime contracts. If one or more of our customers’ government prime or subcontracts is terminated or canceled, our failure to replace sales generated from such contracts would result in lower sales and could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Further consolidation in the aerospace industry could adversely affect our business and financial results.
The aerospace and defense industry is experiencing significant consolidation, including our customers, competitors and suppliers. Consolidation among our customers may result in delays in the awarding of new contracts and losses of existing business. Consolidation among our competitors may result in larger competitors with greater resources and market share, which could adversely affect our ability to compete successfully. Consolidation among our suppliers may result in fewer sources of supply and increased cost to us.
Our growth strategy includes evaluating selected acquisitions, which entails certain risks to our business and financial performance.
We have historically achieved a portion of our growth through acquisitions and expect to evaluate selected future acquisitions as part of our strategy for growth. Any acquisition of another business entails risks and it is possible that we may not realize the expected benefits from an acquisition or that an acquisition could adversely affect our existing operations. Acquisitions entail certain risks, including:
•difficulty in integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired company within our existing operations or in maintaining uniform standards;
•loss of key employees or customers of the acquired company;
•the failure to achieve anticipated synergies;
•unrecorded liabilities of acquired companies that we fail to discover during our due diligence investigations or that are not subject to indemnification or reimbursement by the seller; and
•management and other personnel having their time and resources diverted to evaluate, negotiate and integrate acquisitions.
We may not be successful in achieving expected operating efficiencies and sustaining or improving operating expense reductions, and may experience business disruptions associated with restructuring, performance center consolidations, realignment, cost reduction, and other strategic initiatives.
In recent years, we have implemented a number of restructuring, realignment, and cost reduction initiatives, including performance center consolidations, organizational realignments, and reductions in our workforce. While we have realized some efficiencies from these actions, we may not realize the benefits of these initiatives to the extent we anticipated. Further, such benefits may be realized later than expected, and the ongoing difficulties in implementing these measures may be greater than anticipated, which could cause us to incur additional costs or result in business disruptions. In addition, if these measures are not successful or sustainable, we may have to undertake additional realignment and cost reduction efforts, which could result in significant additional charges. Moreover, if our restructuring and realignment efforts prove ineffective, our ability to achieve our other strategic and business plan goals may be adversely impacted.
As we move up the value chain to become a more value added supplier, enhanced design, product development, manufacturing, supply chain project management and other skills will be required.
We may encounter difficulties as we execute our growth strategy to move up the value chain to become a more value added supplier of more complex assemblies. Difficulties we may encounter include, but are not limited to, the need for enhanced and expanded product design skills, enhanced ability to control and influence our suppliers, enhanced quality control systems and infrastructure, enhanced large-scale project management skills, and expanded industry certifications. Assuming incremental project design responsibilities would require us to assume additional risk in developing cost estimates and could expose us to increased risk of losses. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining the enhanced skills required to move up the value chain or that our customers will outsource such functions to us.
Risks associated with operating and conducting our business outside the United States could adversely impact us.
We have manufacturing facilities in Thailand and Mexico and also derive a portion of our net revenues from direct foreign sales. Further, our customers may derive portions of their revenues from non-U.S. customers. As a result, we are subject to the risks of conducting and operating our business internationally, including:
•political instability;
•economic and geopolitical developments and conditions;
•pandemics and disasters, natural or otherwise;
•compliance with a variety of international laws, as well as U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies conducting business abroad, including, but not limited to, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
•imposition of taxes, export controls, tariffs, embargoes and other trade restrictions;
•difficulties repatriating funds or restrictions on cash transfers; and
•potential for new tariffs imposed on imports by the U.S. administration.
While the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, we believe any one or more of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Customer pricing pressures could reduce the demand and/or price for our products and services.
The markets we serve are highly competitive and price sensitive. We compete worldwide with a number of domestic and international companies that have substantially greater manufacturing, purchasing, marketing and financial resources than we do. Many of our customers have the in-house capability to fulfill their manufacturing requirements. Our larger competitors may be able to compete more effectively for very large-scale contracts than we can by providing different or greater capabilities or benefits such as technical qualifications, past performance on large-scale contracts, geographic presence, price and availability of key professional personnel. If we are unable to successfully compete for new business, our net revenues growth and operating margins may decline.
Several of our major customers have completed extensive cost containment efforts and we expect continued pricing pressures in 2022 and beyond. Competitive pricing pressures may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. Further, there can be no assurance that competition from existing or potential competitors in other segments of our business will not have a material adverse effect on our financial results. If we do not continue to compete effectively and win contracts, our future business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to meet our financial obligations may be materially compromised.
Our products and processes are subject to risk of obsolescence as a result of changes in technology and evolving industry and regulatory standards.
The future success of our business depends in large part upon our and our customers’ ability to maintain and enhance technological capabilities, develop and market manufacturing services that meet changing customer needs and successfully anticipate or respond to technological advances in manufacturing processes on a cost-effective and timely basis, while meeting evolving industry and regulatory standards. To address these risks, we invest in product design and development, and incur related capital expenditures. There can be no guarantee that our product design and development efforts will be successful, or that funds required to be invested in product design and development or incurred as capital expenditures will not increase materially in the future.
We may not have the ability to renew facilities leases on terms favorable to us and relocation of operations presents risks due to business interruption.
Certain of our manufacturing facilities and offices are leased and have lease terms that expire between 2022 and 2031. The majority of these leases provide renewal options at the fair market rental rate at the time of renewal, which, if renewed, could be significantly higher than our current rental rates. We may be unable to offset these cost increases by charging more for our products and services. Furthermore, continued economic conditions may continue to negatively impact and create greater pressure in the commercial real estate market, causing higher incidences of landlord default and/or lender foreclosure of properties, including properties occupied by us. While we maintain certain non-disturbance rights in most cases, it is not certain that such rights will in all cases be upheld and our continued right of occupancy in such instances could be potentially jeopardized. An occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Additionally, if we choose to move any of our operations, those operations may be subject to additional relocation costs and associated risks of business interruption.
LEGAL, REGULATORY, TAX, AND ACCOUNTING RISKS
We are subject to extensive regulation and audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
The accuracy and appropriateness of certain costs and expenses used to substantiate our direct and indirect costs for the U.S. Government contracts are subject to extensive regulation and audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency, an arm of the U.S. DoD. Such audits and reviews could result in adjustments to our contract costs and profitability. However, we cannot ensure the outcome of any future audits and adjustments may be required to reduce net sales or profits upon completion and final negotiation of audits. If any audit or review were to uncover inaccurate costs or improper activities, we could be subject to penalties and sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or prohibition from conducting future business with the U.S. Government. Any such outcome could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
We are subject to a number of procurement laws and regulations. Our business and our reputation could be adversely affected if we fail to comply with these laws.
We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations relating to the award, administration and performance of U.S. Government contracts. Government contract laws and regulations affect how we do business with our customers and impose certain risks and costs on our business. A violation of specific laws and regulations, by us, our employees, or others working on our behalf, such as a supplier or a venture partner, could harm our reputation and result in the imposition of fines and penalties, the termination of our contracts, suspension or debarment from bidding on or being awarded contracts, loss of our ability to export products or services and civil or criminal investigations or proceedings.
In some instances, these laws and regulations impose terms or rights that are different from those typically found in commercial transactions. For example, the U.S. Government may terminate any of our customers’ government contracts and subcontracts either at its convenience or for default based on our performance. Upon termination for convenience of a fixed-price type contract, we normally are entitled to receive the purchase price for delivered items, reimbursement for allowable costs for work-in-process and an allowance for profit on the contract or adjustment for loss if completion of performance would have resulted in a loss.
Our operations are subject to numerous extensive, complex, costly and evolving laws, regulations and restrictions, including cybersecurity requirements, and failure to comply with these laws, regulations and restrictions could subject us to penalties and sanctions that could harm our business.
Prime contracts with our major customers that have contracts with various agencies of the U.S. Government are subject to numerous laws and regulations, which affect how we do business with our customers and may impose added costs to our business. As a result, our contracts and operations are subject to numerous, extensive, complex, costly and evolving laws, regulations and restrictions, principally by the U.S. Government or their agencies. These laws, regulations and restrictions govern items including, but not limited to, the formation, administration and performance of U.S. Government contracts, disclosure of cost and pricing data, civil penalties for violations of false claims to the U.S. Government for payment, defining reimbursable costs, establishing ethical standards for the procurement process, controlling the import and export of defense articles and services, and cybersecurity requirements, such as Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”).
Noncompliance could expose us to liability for penalties, including termination of our contracts and subcontracts, disqualification from bidding on future U.S. Government contracts and subcontracts, suspension or debarment from U.S. Government contracting and various other fines and penalties. Noncompliance found by any one agency could result in fines, penalties, debarment or suspension from receiving additional contracts with all U.S. Government agencies. Given our dependence on U.S. Government business, suspension or debarment could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
In addition, the U.S. Government may revise its procurement practices or adopt new contract rules and regulations, at any time, including increased usage of fixed-price contracts, procurement reform, and compliance with cybersecurity requirements. Such changes could impair our ability to obtain new contracts or subcontracts or renew contracts or subcontracts under which we currently perform when those contracts are put up for competitive bidding. Any new contracting methods could be costly or administratively difficult for us to implement and could adversely affect our future net revenues.
In addition, our international operations subject us to numerous U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to import-export control, technology transfer restrictions, repatriation of earnings, exchange controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the anti-boycott provisions of the U.S. Export Administration Act. Changes in regulations or political environments may affect our ability to conduct business in foreign markets including investment, procurement and repatriation of earnings. Failure by us or our sales representatives or consultants to comply with these laws and regulations could result in certain liabilities and could possibly result in suspension or debarment from government contracts or suspension of our export privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Environmental liabilities could adversely affect our financial results.
We are subject to various federal, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the use, storage, transport, discharge and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals and materials used and emissions generated during our manufacturing process. We do not carry insurance for these potential environmental liabilities. Any failure by us to comply with present or future regulations could subject us to future liabilities or the suspension of production, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Moreover, some environmental laws relating to contaminated sites can impose joint and several liability retroactively regardless of fault or the legality of the activities giving rise to the contamination. Compliance with existing or future environmental laws and regulations may require extensive capital expenditures, increase our cost or impact our production capabilities. Even if such expenditures are made, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply. We have been directed to investigate and take corrective action for groundwater
contamination at certain sites and our ultimate liability for such matters will depend upon a number of factors. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K for further information.
The occurrence of litigation in which we could be named as a defendant is unpredictable.
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are involved in various legal and other proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of our business. While we believe no current proceedings, if adversely determined, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results, no assurances can be given. Any such claims may divert financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K for further information.
Product liability claims in excess of insurance could adversely affect our financial results and financial condition.
We face potential liability for property damage, personal injury, or death as a result of the failure of products designed or manufactured by us. Although we currently maintain product liability insurance (including aircraft product liability insurance), any material product liability not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We use estimates when bidding on fixed-price contracts. Changes in our estimates could adversely affect our financial results.
We enter into contracts providing for a firm, fixed-price for the sale of a majority of our products, regardless of the production costs incurred by us. In many cases, we make multi-year firm, fixed-price commitments to our customers, without assurance that our anticipated production costs will be achieved. Contract bidding and accounting require judgment relative to assessing risks, estimating contract net sales and costs, including estimating cost increases over time and efficiencies to be gained, and making assumptions for supplier sourcing and quality, manufacturing scheduling and technical issues over the life of the contract. Such assumptions can be particularly difficult to estimate for contracts with new customers. Inaccurate estimates of these costs could result in reduced profits or incurred losses. Due to the significance of the judgments and estimates involved, it is possible that materially different amounts could be obtained if different assumptions were used or if the underlying circumstances were to change. Therefore, any changes in our underlying assumptions, circumstances or estimates could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Goodwill and/or other assets could be impaired in the future, which could result in substantial charges.
Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of the first day of our fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances occur which could indicate potential impairment. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill, management is required to make certain critical estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include projected sales levels, including the addition of new customers, programs or platforms and increased content on existing programs or platforms, improvements in manufacturing efficiency, and reductions in operating costs. Due to many variables inherent in the estimation of a business’s fair value and the relative size of our recorded goodwill, changes in estimates and assumptions may have a material effect on the results of our impairment analysis. If any of these or other estimates and assumptions are not realized in the future, or if market multiples decline, we may be required to record an impairment charge for goodwill.
We also test intangible assets with indefinite life periods for potential impairment annually and on an interim basis if there are indicators of potential impairment.
In addition, we evaluate amortizable intangible assets, fixed assets, production cost of contracts, and lease right-of-use assets for impairment if there are indicators of a potential impairment.
Further, impairment charges may be incurred against other intangible assets or long-term assets if asset utilization declines, customer demand declines or other circumstances indicate that the asset carrying value may not be recoverable.
Our goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 were $345.5 million, or 35% of total assets. If our goodwill and/or other assets are impaired, it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. See “Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets” in Note 6 of our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K for further information.
Unanticipated changes in our tax provision or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our profitability.
Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of our business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Furthermore, changes in income tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation, could result in higher or lower income tax rates assessed or changes in the taxability of
certain sales or the deductibility of certain expenses, thereby affecting our income tax expense and profitability. For example, we recorded provisional estimates of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) enacted in December 2017 in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) in our 2017 consolidated financial statements. During 2018, these estimates were subject to further analysis and review which could have required adjustments, but no adjustments were required to be made in 2018. In addition, we are regularly under audit by tax authorities. The final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals.
Our ability to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected if our internal control over financial reporting is not effective.
The accuracy of our financial reporting is dependent on the effectiveness of our internal controls. We are required to provide a report from management to our shareholders on our internal control over financial reporting that includes an assessment of the effectiveness of these controls. Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations, including human error, the possibility that controls could be circumvented or become inadequate as a result of changed conditions, and fraud. Due to these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting might not prevent or detect all misstatements or fraud. If we cannot maintain and execute adequate internal control over financial reporting or implement required new or improved controls that provide reasonable assurance of the reliability of the financial reporting and preparation of our financial statements for external use, our ability to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud could be adversely affected.
LABOR AND SUPPLY CHAIN RISKS
We are dependent upon our ability to attract and retain key personnel.
Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract and retain key engineering, technical and managerial personnel, at both the executive and performance center level. We face competition for management, engineering and technical personnel from other companies and organizations. The loss of members of our senior management group, or key engineering and technical personnel, could negatively impact our ability to grow and remain competitive in the future and could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Labor disruptions by our employees could adversely affect our business.
As of December 31, 2021, we employed 2,480 people. Two of our performance centers are parties to collective bargaining agreements, covering 145 full time hourly employees in one of those performance centers and 320 full time hourly employees in the other performance center, and will expire in June 2024 and April 2022, respectively. Although we have not experienced any material labor-related work stoppage and consider our relations with our employees to be good, labor stoppages may occur in the future. If the unionized workers were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, if we are unable to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements with the unions or if other employees were to become unionized, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations, higher ongoing labor costs and possible loss of customer contracts, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We rely on our suppliers to meet the quality and delivery expectations of our customers.
Our ability to deliver our products and services on schedule and to satisfy specific quality levels is dependent upon a variety of factors, including execution of internal performance plans, availability of raw materials, internal and supplier produced parts and structures, conversion of raw materials into parts and assemblies, and performance of suppliers and others.
We rely on numerous third-party suppliers for raw materials and a large proportion of the components used in our production process. Certain of these raw materials and components are available only from single sources or a limited number of suppliers, or similarly, customers’ specifications may require us to obtain raw materials and/or components from a single source or certain suppliers. Many of our suppliers are small companies with limited financial resources and manufacturing capabilities. We do not currently have the ability to manufacture these components ourselves. These and other factors, including the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, import tariffs, the loss of a critical supplier or raw materials and/or component shortages, could cause disruptions or cost inefficiencies in our operations. Additionally, our competitors that have greater direct purchasing power, may have product cost advantages which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
GENERAL RISKS
The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and continues to cause, a significant adverse impact on our employees, operations, businesses of our customers, suppliers and distribution partners, and volatility in the financial markets. Changes in our operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or employee illnesses resulting from the pandemic, has resulted in and may continue to result in inefficiencies or delays, including in sales and product development efforts and our manufacturing and supply chain, and additional costs related to business continuity initiatives, that cannot be fully mitigated through succession planning, employees working remotely, or teleconferencing technologies. The long-term impact to our business remains unknown. This is due to the numerous uncertainties that have risen from the pandemic, including the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the likelihood of resurgences of the outbreak, including the emergence and spread of variants, actions that may be taken by governmental authorities in response to the disease, the timing, distribution, efficacy and public acceptance of vaccines, and the related unintended or unanticipated consequences.
The commercial aerospace industry, in particular, has been significantly disrupted, both domestically and internationally, by the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in governments around the world implementing stringent measures to help control the spread of the virus, including quarantines, shelter in place or stay at home orders, travel restrictions, business curtailments and other measures. As a result, demand for travel declined at a rapid pace beginning in mid-2020 and has remained below pre-pandemic levels. However, commercial air travel has increasingly shown signs of recovery in recent months with increasing air traffic, primarily in certain domestic markets. The recovery in international commercial air travel has been slower with international travel still near the COVID-19 pandemic lows. The exact pace and timing of the commercial air travel recovery remains uncertain and is expected to continue to be uneven depending on factors such as trends in the number of COVID-19 infections (i.e., impact of new variants of COVID-19 surfacing), the timing, distribution, efficacy, and public acceptance of vaccines, and easing of quarantines and travel restrictions, among other factors. While the full extent and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be reasonably estimated with certainty at this time, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our business, the businesses of our customers and suppliers, as well as our results of operations and financial condition, and may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition in 2022 and beyond.
Our ability to continue to manufacture products is highly dependent on our ability to maintain the safety and health of our performance center employees. While we are following the guidelines and requirements of governmental authorities and taking preventive and protective measures to prioritize the safety and well-being of our employees, these measures are not always successful. Thus far, the ability of our employees to work has not been significantly impacted by individuals contracting or being exposed to COVID-19. However, if an outbreak of COVID-19 or other viruses does occur at any of our performance centers, it may disrupt our ability to manufacture products and thus, have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Increased scrutiny from investors, lenders, and other market participants regarding our environmental, social, and governance, or sustainability responsibilities could expose us to additional costs and adversely impact our liquidity, results of operations, reputation, employee retention, and stock price.
There is an increasing focus from certain investors, customers, and other key stakeholders concerning corporate responsibility, specifically related to environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors. Some investors may use ESG criteria to guide their investment strategies and, in some cases, may choose not to invest in us if they believe our policies relating to corporate responsibilities are inadequate.
The ESG factors by which companies’ corporate responsibility practices are assessed may change. This could result in greater expectations of us and cause us to undertake costly initiatives to satisfy such new criteria. If we are unable to satisfy the new corporate responsibility criteria, investors may view our policies related to corporate responsibility as inadequate. We risk damage to our reputation in the event our corporate responsibility procedures or goals do not meet the standards or goals set by various constituencies. In addition, if our competitors’ corporate responsibility performance is perceived to be greater than ours, potential or current investors may elect to invest in our competitors instead. Further, in the event we communicate certain initiatives or goals related to ESG, we could fail, or be perceived to have failed, in our achievement of such initiatives or goals. If we fail to satisfy the expectations of investors and other key stakeholders, or our initiatives are not executed as planned, our reputation, employee retention, and willingness of our customers and suppliers to do business with us, financial results, and stock price could be materially and adversely affected.
Cybersecurity attacks, internal system or service failures may adversely impact our business and operations.
Any system or service disruptions, including those caused by projects to improve our information technology systems, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated, could disrupt our business and impair our ability to effectively provide products and related services to our customers and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We could also be subject to systems failures, including network, software or hardware failures, whether caused by us, third-party service providers, intruders or hackers, computer viruses, natural disasters, power shortages or terrorist attacks. Cybersecurity threats are evolving and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, unauthorized attempts to gain access to sensitive, confidential or otherwise protected information related to us or our products, our employees, customers or suppliers, or other acts that could lead to disruptions in our business. Any such failures could cause loss of data and interruptions or delays in our business, cause us to incur remediation costs, subject us to claims and damage our reputation. In addition, the failure or disruption of our communications or utilities could cause us to interrupt or suspend our operations or otherwise adversely affect our business. Our property and business interruption insurance may be inadequate to compensate us for all losses that may occur as a result of any system or operational failure or disruption which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Assertions by third parties that we violated their intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Third parties may claim that we, our customers, licensees, or parties indemnified by us are infringing upon or otherwise violating their intellectual property rights. Such claims may be made by competitors seeking to obtain a competitive advantage or by other parties. Additionally, in recent years, individuals and groups have begun purchasing intellectual property assets for the purpose of making claims of infringement and attempting to extract settlements from companies like ours.
Any claims that we violated a third party’s intellectual property rights can be time consuming and costly to defend and distract management’s attention and resources, even if the claims are without merit. Such claims may also require us to redesign affected products and services, enter into costly settlement or license agreements or pay costly damage awards, or face a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from marketing or providing the affected products and services. Even if we have an agreement to indemnify us against such costs, the indemnifying party may not have sufficient financial resources or otherwise be unable to uphold its contractual obligations. If we cannot or do not license the infringed technology on favorable terms or cannot or do not substitute similar technology from another source, our revenue and earnings could be adversely impacted.
Damage or destruction of our facilities caused by storms, earthquake, fires or other causes could adversely affect our financial results and financial condition.
We have operations located in regions of the U.S. that may be exposed to damaging storms, earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters. Although we maintain standard property casualty insurance covering our properties and may be able to recover costs associated with certain natural disasters through insurance, we do not carry any earthquake insurance because of the cost of such insurance. Many of our properties are located in Southern California, an area subject to earthquake activity. Our California performance centers generated $176.9 million in net revenues during 2021. Even if covered by insurance, any significant damage or destruction of our facilities due to storms, earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters could result in our inability to meet customer delivery schedules and may result in the loss of customers and significant additional costs to us. Thus, any significant damage or destruction of our properties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. See discussion of a fire in June 2020 which severely damaged our Guaymas, Mexico performance center in Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K for further information.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our headquarters are located in Santa Ana, California. As of December 31, 2021, we owned or leased facilities and land for corporate functions and manufacturing at locations throughout the United States and various places outside the United States. We believe our existing facilities are suitable and adequate for our present purposes. Each of our reportable segments uses each of these facilities.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of our legal proceedings.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DCO. As of December 31, 2021, we had 144 holders of record of our common stock. We have not paid any dividends since the first quarter of 2011 and we do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
See “Part III, Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS” for information relating to shares to be issued under equity compensation plans.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in our cumulative total shareholder return with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the median of our 2022 Proxy Statement peers (“Median of Peers”) over a five year period, assuming the reinvestment of any dividends. A modified version of this graph over a three year period will be used in our 2022 Proxy Statement, assuming the reinvestment of any dividends. The graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance:

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [Reserved]

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Ducommun Incorporated (“Ducommun,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading global provider of engineering and manufacturing services for high-performance products and high-cost-of failure applications used primarily in the aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and other industries. We differentiate ourselves as a full-service solution-based provider, offering a wide range of value-added products and services in our primary businesses of electronics, structures and integrated solutions. We operate through two primary business segments: Electronic Systems and Structural Systems, each of which is a reportable segment.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our overall business during the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, precautionary measures were instituted by governments and businesses to mitigate its spread, including the imposition of travel restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place directives, and shutting down of non-essential businesses.
The safety of our employees remains our highest priority. The well-being and safety protocols that were already in place at all of our facilities were further enhanced at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to follow safety protocols consistent with guidelines provided by state and local governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). These measures included social distancing, provision of personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning, and flexible work arrangements wherever possible. We have also offered enhanced leave and benefits to our employees and provided frequent updates to ensure our workforce continues to be kept apprised of evolving regulations and safety measures.
In March 2020, the U.S. enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which provides tax relief to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We have not requested or accepted any loans or payments that are available under the CARES Act, however, we have utilized the option to defer payment of the employer portion of payroll taxes (Social Security) that would otherwise be required to be made during the period beginning March 27, 2020 to December 31, 2020. One half of the deferred amount was required to be paid and was paid by December 31, 2021, with the remaining 50% to be paid by December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, our remaining deferred amount is $3.1 million and is included as part of accrued and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to contribute to a general slowdown in the global economy and most significantly, the commercial aerospace end-use market. While both major large aircraft manufacturers, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Airbus SE, have announced increases in build rates for 2022, it is well below pre-pandemic levels. In its 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Boeing indicated it expects commercial air travel to return to 2019 levels in 2023 to 2024, and a few years beyond that for the industry to return to the long-term trend growth. While the full extent and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be reasonably estimated with certainty at this time, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our business, the businesses of our customers and suppliers, as well as our results of operations and financial condition, and may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition for 2022 and beyond. See Risk Factors included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”).
Recap for the year ended December 31, 2021:
•Net revenues of $645.4 million
•Net income of $135.5 million, or $11.06 per diluted share
•Adjusted EBITDA of $92.8 million
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, Guaymas fire related expenses, gain on sale-leaseback, success bonus related to the completion of sale-leaseback transaction, inventory purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring charges, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other debt refinancing costs (“Adjusted EBITDA”) was $92.8 million and $87.9 million for years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
When viewed with our financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and accompanying reconciliations, we believe Adjusted EBITDA provides additional useful information to clarify and enhance the understanding of the factors and trends affecting our past performance and future prospects. We define Adjusted EBITDA, explain how it is calculated, and provide a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios, as presented in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”), are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. They are not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as measures of our liquidity. The presentation of these measures should not be interpreted to mean that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.
We use Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP operating performance measures internally as complementary financial measures to evaluate the performance and trends of our businesses. We also present Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios, as applicable, because we believe that measures such as these provide useful information with respect to our ability to meet our operating commitments.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:
•It does not reflect our cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•It does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•It does not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
•Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
•It is not adjusted for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our statements of cash flows;
•It does not reflect the impact on earnings or charges resulting from matters unrelated to our ongoing operations; and
•Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently from us, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.
As a result of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or as a measure of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations. You should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only as supplemental information. See our consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-K.
Even with the limitations above, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our results of operations as this measure:
•Is widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such terms, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;
•Helps investors to evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating performance; and
•Is used by our management team for various other purposes in presentations to our Board of Directors as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.
The following financial items have been added back to or subtracted from our net income when calculating Adjusted EBITDA:
•Interest expense may be useful to investors for determining current cash flow;
•Income tax expense may be useful to investors because it represents the taxes which may be payable for the period and the change in deferred taxes during the period, and may reduce cash flow available for use in our business;
•Depreciation may be useful to investors because it generally represents the wear and tear on our property and equipment used in our operations;
•Amortization expense may be useful to investors because it represents the estimated attrition of our acquired customer base and the diminishing value of product rights;
•Stock-based compensation expense may be useful to our investors for determining current cash flow;
•Guaymas fire related expenses may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
•Gain on sale-leaseback may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
•Success bonus related to completion of sale-leaseback transaction may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
•Purchase accounting inventory step-ups may be useful to our investors as they do not necessarily reflect the current or on-going cash charges related to our core operating performance;
•Restructuring charges may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
•Loss on extinguishment of debt may be useful to our investors for determining current cash flow; and
•Other debt refinancing costs may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance.
Reconciliations of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenues were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Net income $ 135,536 $ 29,174 $ 32,461
Interest expense 11,187 13,653 18,290
Income tax expense 34,948 2,807 5,302
Depreciation 14,051 13,824 13,519
Amortization 14,338 15,026 14,786
Stock-based compensation expense 11,212 9,299 7,161
Guaymas fire related expenses 2,486 1,704 -
Gain on sale-leaseback (132,522) - -
Success bonus related to completion of sale-leaseback transaction (1)
1,451 - -
Inventory purchase accounting adjustments (2)
106 - 511
Restructuring charges - 2,424 -
Loss on extinguishment of debt - - 180
Other debt refinancing costs - - 77
Adjusted EBITDA $ 92,793 $ 87,911 $ 92,287
% of net revenues 14.4 % 14.0 % 12.8 %
(1)2021 included $1.3 million of success bonus related to the completion of the sale-leaseback transaction that was recorded as part of cost of sales.
(2)2021 and 2019 included inventory purchase accounting adjustments of inventory that was stepped up as part of our purchase price allocation from our acquisitions of Magnetic Seal LLC (f/k/a Magnetic Seal Corporation, “MagSeal”) and Nobles Worldwide, Inc. (“Nobles”) on December 16, 2021 and in October 2019, respectively, and both are a part of our Structural Systems operating segment.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2021 Compared to 2020
The following table sets forth net revenues, selected financial data, the effective tax rate and diluted earnings per share:
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended December 31,
2021 %
of Net Revenues 2020 %
of Net Revenues
Net Revenues $ 645,413 100.0 % $ 628,941 100.0 %
Cost of Sales 502,953 77.9 % 491,203 78.1 %
Gross Profit 142,460 22.1 % 137,738 21.9 %
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 93,579 14.5 % 89,808 14.3 %
Restructuring Charges - - % 2,424 0.4 %
Operating Income 48,881 7.6 % 45,506 7.2 %
Interest Expense (11,187) (1.7) % (13,653) (2.1) %
Gain on Sale-Leaseback 132,522 20.5 % - - %
Other Income, Net 268 - % 128 - %
Income Before Taxes 170,484 26.4 % 31,981 5.1 %
Income Tax Expense 34,948 nm 2,807 nm
Net Income $ 135,536 21.0 % $ 29,174 4.6 %
Effective Tax Rate 20.5 % nm 8.8 % nm
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 11.06 nm $ 2.45 nm
nm = not meaningful
Net Revenues by End-Use Market and Operating Segment
Net revenues by end-use market and operating segment during 2021 and 2020, respectively, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Years Ended December 31, % of Net Revenues
Change 2021 2020 2021 2020
Consolidated Ducommun
Military and space $ 30,989 $ 453,848 $ 422,859 70.3 % 67.2 %
Commercial aerospace
(12,411) 155,731 168,142 24.1 % 26.8 %
Industrial (2,106) 35,834 37,940 5.6 % 6.0 %
Total $ 16,472 $ 645,413 $ 628,941 100.0 % 100.0 %
Electronic Systems
Military and space $ 19,235 $ 327,911 $ 308,676 79.5 % 78.6 %
Commercial aerospace 2,886 48,903 46,017 11.8 % 11.7 %
Industrial (2,106) 35,834 37,940 8.7 % 9.7 %
Total $ 20,015 $ 412,648 $ 392,633 100.0 % 100.0 %
Structural Systems
Military and space $ 11,754 $ 125,937 $ 114,183 54.1 % 48.3 %
Commercial aerospace (15,297) 106,828 122,125 45.9 % 51.7 %
Total $ (3,543) $ 232,765 $ 236,308 100.0 % 100.0 %
Net revenues for 2021 were $645.4 million compared to $628.9 million for 2020. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the following:
•$31.0 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher build rates on military fixed-wing aircraft platforms and higher build rates on various missile platforms; partially offset by
•$12.4 million lower revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to lower build rates on large aircraft platforms.
Net Revenues by Major Customers
A significant portion of our net revenues are from our top ten customers as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Boeing Company 7.8 % 10.5 %
Lockheed Martin Corporation 4.4 % 5.0 %
Northrop Grumman Corporation 7.1 % 9.1 %
Raytheon Technologies Corporation 24.4 % 20.9 %
Top ten customers(1)
61.1 % 61.1 %
(1) Includes The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed Martin”), Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Northrop”), and Raytheon Technologies Corporation (“Raytheon”).
The revenues from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop, and Raytheon are diversified over a number of commercial, military and space programs and were generated by both operating segments.
Gross Profit
Gross profit consists of net revenues less cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the cost of production of finished products and other expenses related to inventory management, manufacturing quality, and order fulfillment. Gross profit margin increased to 22.1% in 2021 compared to 21.9% in 2020 primarily due to favorable product mix and lower other manufacturing costs.
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
SG&A expenses increased $3.8 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to higher professional services fees of $2.2 million, a portion of which was related to the MagSeal acquisition, and higher compensation and benefits costs of $1.6 million.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges decreased $2.4 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to the 2020 restructuring plan being completed by the end of 2020. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on restructuring activities.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to a lower amount of debt outstanding and lower interest rates. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on our long-term debt.
Gain on Sale-Leaseback
Gain on sale-leaseback increased in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the Gardena performance center located in Carson, California, sale-leaseback transaction we entered into on December 16, 2021. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on our sale-leaseback transaction.
Income Tax Expense
We recorded an income tax expense of $34.9 million (an effective tax rate of 20.5%) in 2021, compared to $2.8 million (an effective tax rate of 8.8%) in 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to higher pre-tax income for 2021, which included the gain on the sale-leaseback transaction we entered into on December 16, 2021, compared to 2020. The higher pre-tax income in 2021 caused the research and development tax credits to have a lower income tax benefit impact on the effective tax rate. The increase in the effective tax rate was also due to lower discrete income tax benefits recognized from the release of uncertain tax positions in 2021 compared to 2020.
Our unrecognized tax benefits were $4.4 million and $4.1 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. We record interest and penalty charges, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as a component of tax expense and unrecognized tax benefits. The amounts accrued for interest and penalty charges as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were not significant. If recognized, $2.6
million would affect the effective income tax rate. As a result of statute of limitations set to expire in 2022, we expect decreases to our unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.7 million in the next twelve months.
We file U.S. Federal and state income tax returns. We are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for tax years after 2017 and by state taxing authorities for tax years after 2016. While we are no longer subject to examination prior to those periods, carryforwards generated prior to those periods may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS or state taxing authority if they either have been or will be used in a subsequent period. We believe we have adequately accrued for tax deficiencies or reductions in tax benefits, if any, that could result from the examination and all open audit years.
In March 2020, the U.S. enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) that provided tax relief to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We considered the provisions of the CARES Act and determined they do not have a material impact to our overall income taxes. We utilized the option to defer payment of the employer portion of payroll taxes (Social Security) that would otherwise be required to be made during the period beginning March 27, 2020 to December 31, 2020. See COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Our Business included in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. As such, as of December 31, 2020, we deferred payment of income tax deductions related to payroll taxes of $6.1 million and recorded the related deferred tax asset of $1.4 million, which was included as part of the net deferred income taxes on the consolidated balance sheet. We were required to and made the payments for 50% of the deferred payroll taxes by December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the remaining unpaid deferred income tax deductions related to payroll taxes is $3.1 million and the related deferred tax asset of $0.7 million is included as part of the net deferred income taxes on the consolidated balance sheet.
In December 2020, the U.S. enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Appropriations Act”) that provided additional tax relief to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We considered the provisions of the Appropriations Act and determined they do not have a material impact to our overall income taxes.
On March 11, 2021, the U.S. enacted the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“Rescue Plan”). The amendment to Section 162(m) expanding the definition of covered employee to also include the next five highest compensated employees in the limitation will apply to us effective January 1, 2027. We do not expect any tax impacts to be material. We considered other provisions in the Rescue Plan and determined they have no or minimal impact to our overall income taxes.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), which was signed into U.S. law in December 2017, eliminated the option to immediately deduct research and development expenditures in the year incurred under Section 174 effective January 1, 2022. The amended provision under Section 174 requires us to capitalize and amortize these expenditures over five years. Although there is proposed legislation to temporarily reinstate the current deduction of the expenditures after 2021 through 2025, we must consider the changes under the TCJA. If the provision is not deferred, modified, or repealed, with retroactive effect to January 1, 2022, it may result in a material impact on cash from operating activities and the balance of our deferred taxes. The actual impact will depend on if and when this provision is deferred, modified, or repealed by Congress, including if retroactively to January 1, 2022, and the amount of research and development expenditures incurred in 2022. We are monitoring legislation for any further changes to Section 174 and the impact to the financial statements in 2022.
Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share
Net income and earnings per diluted share for 2021 were $135.5 million, or $11.06 per diluted share, compared to net income and earnings per diluted share for 2020 of $29.2 million, or $2.45 per diluted share. The increase in net income in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to a gain on sale-leaseback of $132.5 million, $4.7 million of higher gross profit as a result of higher revenues, lower interest expense of $2.5 million, and lower restructuring charges of $2.4 million, partially offset by higher income tax expense of $32.1 million and higher SG&A expenses of $3.8 million.
Business Segment Performance
We report our financial performance based upon the two reportable operating segments: Electronic Systems and Structural Systems. The results of operations differ between our reportable operating segments due to differences in competitors, customers, extent of proprietary deliverables and performance. The following table summarizes our business segment performance for 2021 and 2020:
% (Dollars in thousands)
Years Ended December 31, %
of Net Revenues %
of Net Revenues
Change 2021 2020 2021 2020
Net Revenues
Electronic Systems 5.1 % $ 412,648 $ 392,633 63.9 % 62.4 %
Structural Systems (1.5) % 232,765 236,308 36.1 % 37.6 %
Total Net Revenues 2.6 % $ 645,413 $ 628,941 100.0 % 100.0 %
Segment Operating Income
Electronic Systems $ 57,629 $ 51,894 14.0 % 13.2 %
Structural Systems 20,234 19,584 8.7 % 8.3 %
77,863 71,478
Corporate General and Administrative Expenses (1)
(28,982) (25,972) (4.5) % (4.1) %
Total Operating Income $ 48,881 $ 45,506 7.6 % 7.2 %
Adjusted EBITDA
Electronic Systems
Operating Income $ 57,629 $ 51,894
Other Income 196 -
Depreciation and Amortization 13,823 14,038
Restructuring Charges - 596
Success Bonus Related to Completion of Sale-Leaseback Transaction (2)
970 -
72,618 66,528 17.6 % 16.9 %
Structural Systems
Operating Income 20,234 19,584
Other Income 72 -
Depreciation and Amortization 14,331 14,559
Restructuring Charges - 1,828
Inventory Purchase Accounting Adjustments 106 -
Guaymas Fire Related Expenses 2,486 1,704
Success Bonus Related to Completion of Sale-Leaseback Transaction (2)
475 -
37,704 37,675 16.2 % 15.9 %
Corporate General and Administrative Expenses (1)
Operating Loss (28,982) (25,972)
Other Income - 128
Depreciation and Amortization 235 253
Stock-Based Compensation Expense 11,212 9,299
Success Bonus Related to Completion of Sale-Leaseback Transaction (2)
6 -
(17,529) (16,292)
Adjusted EBITDA $ 92,793 $ 87,911 14.4 % 14.0 %
Capital Expenditures
Electronic Systems $ 7,471 $ 5,037
Structural Systems 8,463 8,570
Corporate Administration - -
Total Capital Expenditures $ 15,934 $ 13,607
(1)Includes costs not allocated to either the Electronic Systems or Structural Systems operating segments.
(2)2021 included $1.3 million of success bonus related to the completion of the sale-leaseback transaction that was recorded as part of cost of sales.
Electronic Systems
Electronic Systems’ net revenues in 2021 compared to 2020 increased $20.0 million primarily due to the following:
•$19.2 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher build rates on military fixed-wing aircraft platforms, partially offset by lower build rates on various missile platforms; and
•$2.9 million higher revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to higher build rates on other commercial aerospace platforms.
Electronic Systems segment operating income in 2021 compared to 2020 increased $5.7 million primarily due to favorable product mix and lower other manufacturing costs.
Structural Systems
Structural Systems’ net revenues in 2021 compared to 2020 decreased $3.5 million primarily due to the following:
•$15.3 million lower revenues in commercial aerospace end-use markets due to lower build rates on large aircraft platforms; partially offset by
•$11.8 million higher revenues in military and space end-use markets due to higher build rates on various missile platforms.
The Structural Systems operating income in 2021 compared to 2020 increased $0.7 million primarily due to lower other manufacturing costs, partially offset by unfavorable product mix.
In June 2020, a fire severely damaged our performance center in Guaymas, Mexico, which is part of our Structural Systems segment. There were no injuries, however, property and equipment, inventory, and tooling in this leased facility were damaged. We have insurance coverage and expect the majority, if not all, of these items will be covered, less our deductible. The full financial impact cannot be estimated at this time as we are currently working with our insurance carriers to determine the cause of the fire. Our Guaymas performance center is comprised of two buildings with an aggregate total of 62,000 square feet. The loss of production from the Guaymas performance center is being absorbed by our other existing performance centers. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Corporate General and Administrative (“CG&A”) Expenses
CG&A expenses in 2021 compared to 2020 increased $3.0 million primarily due to higher professional services fees of $1.9 million, a portion of which was related to the acquisition of MagSeal, and higher compensation and benefits costs of $1.8 million.
Backlog
We define backlog as customer placed purchase orders (“POs”) and long-term agreements (“LTAs”) with firm fixed price and expected delivery dates of 24 months or less. The majority of the LTAs do not meet the definition of a contract under ASC 606 and thus, the backlog amount disclosed below is greater than the remaining performance obligations amount disclosed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Backlog is subject to delivery delays or program cancellations, which are beyond our control. Backlog is affected by timing differences in the placement of customer orders and tends to be concentrated in several programs to a greater extent than our net revenues. Backlog in industrial markets tends to be of a shorter duration and is generally fulfilled within a three month period. As a result of these factors, trends in our overall level of backlog may not be indicative of trends in our future net revenues.
The increase in backlog was primarily in the commercial aerospace end-use markets and industrial end-use markets. $628.0 million of total backlog is expected to be delivered over the next 12 months. The following table summarizes our backlog for 2021 and 2020:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
Change 2021 2020
Consolidated Ducommun
Military and space $ 4,882 $ 520,278 $ 515,396
Commercial aerospace 64,781 333,107 268,326
Industrial 27,783 51,802 24,019
Total $ 97,446 $ 905,187 $ 807,741
Electronic Systems
Military and space $ 10,125 $ 400,002 $ 389,877
Commercial aerospace 91 56,810 56,719
Industrial 27,783 51,802 24,019
Total $ 37,999 $ 508,614 $ 470,615
Structural Systems
Military and space $ (5,243) $ 120,276 $ 125,519
Commercial aerospace 64,690 276,297 211,607
Total $ 59,447 $ 396,573 $ 337,126
2020 Compared to 2019
See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Available Liquidity
Total debt, the weighted-average interest rate, cash and cash equivalents and available credit facilities were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
December 31,
2021 2020
Total debt, including long-term portion $ 287.7 $ 320.6
Weighted-average interest rate on debt 3.27 % 3.59 %
Term Loans interest rate 3.22 % 3.81 %
Cash and cash equivalents $ 76.3 $ 56.5
Unused Revolving Credit Facility $ 99.8 $ 74.8
In December 2019, we completed the refinancing of a portion of our existing debt by entering into a new revolving credit facility (“2019 Revolving Credit Facility”) to replace the existing revolving credit facility that was entered into in November 2018 (“2018 Revolving Credit Facility”) and entering into a new term loan (“2019 Term Loan”). The 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is a $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility that will mature on December 20, 2024 replacing the $100.0 million 2018 Revolving Credit Facility that would have matured on November 21, 2023. The 2019 Term Loan is a $140.0 million senior secured term loan that will mature on December 20, 2024. We also have an existing $240.0 million senior secured term loan that was entered into in November 2018 that will mature on November 21, 2025 (“2018 Term Loan”). The original amounts available under the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility, 2019 Term Loan, and 2018 Term Loan (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”) in aggregate, totaled $480.0 million. We are required to make installment payments of 1.25% of the original outstanding principal balance of the 2019 Term Loan amount on a quarterly basis, on the last day of the calendar quarter and thus, paid $7.0 million during 2021. In addition, if we meet the annual excess cash flow threshold, we are required to make an annual additional principal payment based on the consolidated adjusted leverage ratio. During the first quarter of 2021, we
made the required 2020 annual excess cash flow payment of $0.9 million. Further, the undrawn portion of the commitment of the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.275%, based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants required under the Credit Facilities. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
We drew down $50.0 million on the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility during the first quarter of 2020 to hold as cash on hand, $25.0 million of which was repaid during the fourth quarter of 2020 with the remaining $25.0 million repaid during 2021, thus, we made no net aggregate voluntary prepayments during 2021.
In November 2018, we completed credit facilities to replace the then existing credit facilities. The November 2018 credit facilities consisted of the 2018 Term Loan and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (collectively, the “2018 Credit Facilities”). We were required to make installment payments of 0.25% of the outstanding principal balance of the 2018 Term Loan amount on a quarterly basis, however, in conjunction with the 2019 refinancing where we paid down $56.0 million on the 2018 Term Loan, it paid all the required quarterly installment payments on the 2018 Term Loan until maturity.
On November 29, 2021, we entered into derivative contracts, U.S. dollar-one month LIBOR forward interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, all with an effective date of January 1, 2024, for an aggregate total notional amount of $150.0 million, weighted average fixed rate of 1.8%, and all terminating on January 1, 2031 (“Forward Interest Rate Swaps”). The Forward Interest Rate Swaps mature on a monthly basis, with fixed amount payer payment dates on the first day of each calendar month, commencing on February 1, 2024 through January 1, 2031. See Note 1 and Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
In October 2015, we entered into interest rate cap hedges designated as cash flow hedges with a portion of these interest rate cap hedges maturing on a quarterly basis, and a final quarterly maturity date of June 2020, in aggregate, totaling $135.0 million of our debt. We paid a total of $1.0 million in connection with entering into the interest rate cap hedges. The interest rate cap hedges matured during our second quarter of 2020 and as such, all remaining amounts related to the interest rate cap hedges were fully amortized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were also realized at that time. See Note 1 and Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
On December 16, 2021, we acquired MagSeal for a purchase price of $69.5 million, net of cash acquired, all payable in cash. Upon the closing of the transaction, we paid a gross total aggregate of $71.3 million in cash, a portion of which was by drawing down on the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility. This draw down on the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility was paid off by December 31, 2021. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
In October 2019, we acquired Nobles Parent Inc., the parent company of Nobles Worldwide, Inc. (“Nobles”) for an original purchase price of $77.0 million, net of cash acquired, all payable in cash. Upon the closing of the transaction, we paid a gross total aggregate of $77.3 million in cash by drawing down on the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility.
On December 16, 2021, we entered into a sale-leaseback transaction for the building and related land for our Gardena performance center located in Carson, California (“Sale-Leaseback Agreement”). The building and related land was sold for $143.1 million and we recognized a gain of $132.5 million. As part of the Sale-Leaseback Agreement, we entered into an initial five year lease for the usage of the just sold building and related land. The future minimum base monthly lease payments during the initial five year period in aggregate total $19.6 million. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
We expect to spend a total of $16.0 million to $18.0 million for capital expenditures in 2022 (excluding capital expenditures we will spend to restore the manufacturing capabilities related to our Guaymas performance center that was severely damaged by fire in June 2020), financed by cash generated from operations, principally to support new contract awards in Electronic Systems and Structural Systems. As part of our strategic plan to become a supplier of higher-level assemblies and win new contract awards, additional up-front investment in tooling will be required for newer programs which have higher engineering content and higher levels of complexity in assemblies. However, some portion of the expected capital expenditures in 2022 could be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We believe the ongoing aerospace and defense subcontractor consolidation makes acquisitions an increasingly important component of our future growth. We will continue to make prudent acquisitions and capital expenditures for manufacturing equipment and facilities to support long-term contracts for commercial and military aircraft and defense programs.
We continue to depend on operating cash flow and the availability of our Credit Facilities to provide short-term liquidity. Cash generated from operations and bank borrowing capacity is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations during the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
Cash Flow Summary
2021 Compared to 2020
Net cash used in operating activities during 2021 was $0.6 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $12.6 million during 2020. The lower cash provided by operating activities during 2021 was primarily due to higher contract assets, higher inventories, and higher accounts receivable, partially offset by higher net income and higher contract liabilities.
Net cash provided by investing activities during 2021 was $57.8 million compared to net cash used by investing activities of $5.5 million during 2020. The higher cash provided by investing activities during 2021 was primarily due to proceeds from sale-leaseback, partially offset by the payments for the acquisition of MagSeal.
Net cash used by financing activities during 2021 was $37.3 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $9.7 million during 2020. The lower cash provided by financing activities during 2021 was primarily due to higher net repayments of borrowings on the Credit Facilities.
2020 Compared to 2019
See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our off-balance sheet arrangements consist of operating and finance leases not recorded as a result of the practical expedients utilized, right of offset of industrial revenue bonds and associated failed sales-leasebacks on property and equipment, and indemnities, none of which we believe may have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, liquidity, capital resources, or results of operations.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies and estimates are those accounting policies and estimates that can have a significant impact on the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and that require the use of subjective estimates based upon past experience and management’s judgment. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates. Below are those policies applied in preparing our financial statements that management believes are the most dependent on the application of estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
Our customers typically engage us to manufacture products based on designs and specifications provided by the end-use customer. This requires the building of tooling and manufacturing first article inspection products (prototypes) before volume manufacturing. Contracts with our customers generally include a termination for convenience clause.
We have a significant number of contracts that are started and completed within the same year, as well as contracts derived from long-term agreements and programs that can span several years. We recognize revenue under ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”), which utilizes a five-step model.
The definition of a contract for us is typically defined as a customer purchase order as this is when we achieve an enforceable right to payment. The majority of our contracts are firm fixed-price contracts. The deliverables within a customer purchase order are analyzed to determine the number of performance obligations. In addition, at times, in order to achieve economies of scale and based on our customer’s forecasted demand, we may build in advance of receiving a purchase order from our customer. When that occurs, we would not recognize revenue until we have received the customer purchase order.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account under ASC 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, control is transferred and the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services are highly interrelated or met the series guidance. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract transaction price to each performance obligation using our best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. The primary method used to estimate the standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach, under which we forecast our expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and then add an appropriate margin for that distinct good or service.
We manufacture most products to customer specifications and the product cannot be easily modified for another customer. As such, these products are deemed to have no alternative use once the manufacturing process begins. In the event the customer invokes a termination for convenience clause, we would be entitled to costs incurred to date plus a reasonable profit. Contract
costs typically include labor, materials, overhead, and when applicable, subcontractor costs. For most of our products, we are building assets with no alternative use and have enforceable right to payment, and thus, we recognize revenue using the over time method.
The majority of our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses. Typically, revenue is recognized over time using an input measure (i.e., costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion, also known as cost-to-cost plus reasonable profit) to measure progress. Our typical revenue contract is a firm fixed price contract, and the cost of raw materials could make up a significant amount of the total costs incurred. As such, we believe using the total costs incurred input method would be the most appropriate method. While the cost of raw materials could make up a significant amount of the total costs incurred, there is a direct relationship between our inputs and the transfer of control of goods or services to the customer.
Contract estimates are based on various assumptions to project the outcome of future events that can span multiple months or years. These assumptions include labor productivity and availability; the complexity of the work to be performed; the cost and availability of materials; and the performance of subcontractors.
As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the progress completed (and related profitability) on our contracts, we review and update our contract-related estimates on a regular basis. We recognize such adjustments under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance is recognized using the adjusted estimate.
The impact of adjustments in contract estimates on our operating earnings can be reflected in either operating costs and expenses or revenue. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the net impact of these adjustments to our consolidated financial statements for 2021.
Payments under long-term contracts may be received before or after revenue is recognized. When revenue is recognized before we bill our customer, a contract asset is created for the work performed but not yet billed. Similarly, when we receive payment before we ship our products to our customer and have met the shipping terms, a contract liability is created for the advance or progress payment. When a contract liability and a contract asset exist on the same contract, we report it on a net basis.
We record provisions for the total anticipated losses on contracts, considering total estimated costs to complete the contract compared to total anticipated revenues, in the period in which such losses are identified. The provisions for estimated losses on contracts require us to make certain estimates and assumptions, including those with respect to the future revenue under a contract and the future cost to complete the contract. Our estimate of the future cost to complete a contract may include assumptions as to changes in manufacturing efficiency, operating and material costs, and our ability to resolve claims and assertions with our customers. If any of these or other assumptions and estimates do not materialize in the future, we may be required to adjust the provisions for estimated losses on contracts. The provision for estimated losses on contracts is included as part of contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Production cost of contracts includes non-recurring production costs, such as design and engineering costs, and tooling and other special-purpose machinery necessary to build parts as specified in a contract. Production costs of contracts are recorded to cost of sales using the over time revenue recognition model. We review the value of the production cost of contracts on a quarterly basis to ensure when added to the estimated cost to complete, the value is not greater than the estimated realizable value of the related contracts.
Business Combinations
When a business is acquired, we allocate the purchase price by recording the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with the excess cost recorded as goodwill. A preliminary fair value is determined once a business is acquired, with the final determination of fair value be completed no later than one year from the date of acquisition.
To determine the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenues, costs and cash flows, discount rates, and selection of comparable companies. We engage the assistance of valuation specialists in concluding on fair value measurements in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations.
The fair value of the intangible assets is estimated using several valuation methodologies, including the income based or market based approaches, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements. Inputs to fair value analyses and other aspects of the allocation of the purchase price require judgment. The value for customer relationships is typically estimated based on a multi-period excess earnings approach. The more significant inputs used in the customer relationships intangible asset valuation include (i) future revenue growth rates, (ii) projected gross margins, (iii) the customer attrition rate, and (iv) the discount rate. The useful lives are estimated based on the underlying agreements or the future economic benefit expected to be received from the assets.
Acquisition related costs are not included as components of consideration transferred but instead, expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Goodwill
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis on the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter. If certain factors occur, including significant under performance of our business relative to expected operating results, significant adverse economic and industry trends, significant decline in our market capitalization for an extended period of time relative to net book value, a decision to divest individual businesses within a reporting unit, or a decision to group individual businesses differently, we may be required to perform an interim impairment test prior to the fourth quarter.
We may use either a qualitative or quantitative approach when testing a reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment. The qualitative approach for potential impairment analysis is performed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.
The quantitative approach for potential impairment analysis is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair value is estimated by management using a combination of the income approach (which is based on a discounted cash flow model) and the market approach. Management’s cash flow projections include significant judgments and assumptions, including the amount and timing of expected cash flows, long-term growth rates, and discount rates. The cash flows used in the discounted cash flow model are based on our best estimate of future revenues, gross margins, and adjusted after-tax earnings. If any of these assumptions are incorrect, it will impact the estimated fair value of a reporting unit. The market approach also requires significant management judgment in selecting comparable business acquisitions and the transaction values observed and its related control premiums.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the carrying amount of goodwill at the date of the most recent annual impairment evaluation for Electronic Systems and Structural Systems was $117.4 million and $53.4 million, respectively.
We acquired 100% of the equity interests of MagSeal on December 16, 2021, for a purchase price of $69.5 million, net of cash acquired. We recorded preliminary goodwill of $32.9 million in our Structural Systems segment, which is also our reporting unit. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As of the date of our 2021 annual evaluation for goodwill impairment for the Structural Systems segment, which is also our reporting unit, we performed a step one goodwill impairment analysis as of the first day of the fourth quarter of 2021. The fair value of our Structural Systems segment exceeded its carrying value by 72% and thus, was not deemed impaired.
As of the date of our 2021 annual evaluation for goodwill impairment for the Electronic Systems segment, which is also our reporting unit, we performed a qualitative assessment as of the first day of the fourth quarter of 2021, which considered each of the following: 1) margin of passing most recent step one analysis, 2) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, 3) long-term growth rate, 4) analyzing material adverse factors/changes between valuation dates, 5) general macroeconomic factors, and 6) industry and market conditions. Based upon our qualitative assessment, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount and thus, goodwill was not deemed impaired.
Other Intangible Assets
We amortize acquired other intangible assets with finite lives over the estimated economic lives of the assets, ranging from 2 years to 19 years, generally using the straight-line method. The value of other intangibles acquired through business combinations has been estimated using present value techniques which involve estimates of future cash flows. We evaluate other intangible assets for recoverability considering undiscounted cash flows, when significant changes in conditions occur, and recognize impairment losses, if any, based upon the estimated fair value of the assets.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We measure and recognize compensation expense for share-based payment transactions to our employees and non-employees at their estimated fair value. The expense is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the share-based award, and is recognized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity award). The fair value of stock options are determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) valuation model, which requires assumptions and judgments regarding stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and expected options terms. Management’s estimates could differ from actual results. The fair value of unvested stock awards is determined based on the closing price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant except for market condition awards for which the fair value was based on a Monte Carlo simulation model.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined using a moving average cost basis for raw materials and actual cost for work-in-process and finished goods. The majority of our inventory is charged to cost of sales as raw materials are placed into production and the related revenue is recognized. Inventoried costs include raw materials, outside processing, direct labor and allocated overhead, adjusted for any abnormal amounts of idle performance center expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) incurred. We assess the inventory carrying value and reduce it, if necessary, to its net realizable value based on customer orders on hand, and internal demand forecasts using management’s best estimates given information currently available. The majority of our revenues are recognized over time, however, for revenue contracts where revenue is recognized using the point in time method, inventory is not reduced until it is shipped or transfer of control to the customer has occurred. Our ending inventory consists of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized, using enacted tax rates, for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities, operating losses, and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are evaluated quarterly and are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are recognized when it is more-likely-than-not, based on technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement, including resolution of related appeals and/or litigation process, if any.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our main market risk exposure relates to changes in U.S. and U.K. interest rates on our outstanding long-term debt. At December 31, 2021, we had borrowings of $287.7 million under our Credit Facilities.
The 2019 Term Loan bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Eurodollar Rate (defined as the London Interbank Offered Rate [“LIBOR”]) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per year or (ii) the Base Rate (defined as the highest of [a] Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, [b] Bank of America’s prime rate, and [c] the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%) plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% per year, in each case based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio.
The 2019 Revolving Credit Facility bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Eurodollar Rate (defined as LIBOR) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per year or (ii) the Base Rate (defined as the highest of [a] Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, [b] Bank of America’s prime rate, and [c] the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%) plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% per year, in each case based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio.
The 2018 Term Loan bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Eurodollar Rate (defined as LIBOR) plus an applicable margin ranging from 3.75% to 4.00% per year or (ii) the Base Rate (defined as the highest of [a] Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, [b] Bank of America’s prime rate, and [c] the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%) plus an applicable margin ranging from 3.75% to 4.00% per year, in each case based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio.
A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the interest rate would have an immaterial impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The interest rates on our Credit Facilities are based on LIBOR. See risks related to LIBOR under “Risk Factors” contained within Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and supplementary data together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP included in Part IV, Item 15(a) 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are included herein by reference.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2021.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management of the Company has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors of the Registrant
The information under the caption “Election of Directors” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
The information under the caption “Committees of the Board of Directors” relating to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
The information under the caption “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The information under the caption “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes to Procedures to Recommend Nominees
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors since the date of the Company’s last proxy statement.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information under the captions “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Compensation Committee Report” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information about our compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance:
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a) Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b) Number of Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected
in Column
(a))(c)(3)
Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders(1)
819,624 $ 35.30 113,579
Employee stock purchase plan approved by security holders(2)
- - 609,670
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total 819,624 723,249
(1)Consists of the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (“2020 Plan”) and the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended (“2013 Plan”), although the remaining shares available under the 2013 Plan as of May 6, 2020 were folded into the 2020 Plan plus any shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the 2013 Plan on or after May 6, 2020 that are forfeited, terminated, expire, or otherwise lapse without being exercised (to the extent applicable). The number of securities to be issued consists of 317,779 for stock options, 202,282 for restricted stock units and 299,563 for performance stock units at target. The weighted average exercise price applies only to the stock options.
(2)The 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan enables employees to purchase our common stock at a 15% discount to the lower of the market value at the beginning or end of each six month offering period. As such, the number of shares that may be issued during a given six month period and the purchase price of such shares cannot be determined in advance. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)Awards are not restricted to any specified form or structure and may include, without limitation, sales or bonuses of stock, restricted stock, stock options, reload stock options, stock purchase warrants, other rights to acquire stock, securities convertible into or redeemable for stock, stock appreciation rights, limited stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, dividend equivalents, performance units or performance shares, and an award may consist of one such security or benefit, or two or more of them in tandem or in alternative.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” contained in the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1. Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of Ducommun Incorporated and subsidiaries, are incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this report.
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 238)
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedule
The following schedule for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 is filed herewith:
Schedule II - Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 80
All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information has been otherwise supplied in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits
See Item 15(b) for a list of exhibits. -