EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 93389
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 93389_10-K_2024_0001140361-24-008994.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
Overview
We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. Our automotive aftermarket business is comprised of two segments, Vehicle Control and Temperature Control, while our Engineered Solutions Segment offers a broad array of conventional and future-oriented technologies in markets for commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports, marine, hydraulics and lawn and garden. We sell our products primarily to retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and other Latin America countries.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2023, we reorganized our business into three operating segments - Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions. This operating segment structure better aligns our operations with our strategic focus on diversifying our business, provides greater transparency into our positioning to capture opportunities for growth in the future, and provides clarity regarding the unique dynamics and margin profiles of the markets served by each segment.
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Our Vehicle Control Segment services our core automotive aftermarket customers through its offering of premium replacement parts within the following major product groups:
(1)
Engine Management, which includes components for the ignition, emissions and fuel delivery systems of vehicles utilizing an internal combustion engine. Product categories include air injection and induction components, air management valves, regulators and solenoids, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) components, fuel injectors and related components, fuel valves, ignition coils, connectors and sockets, modules, pumps, relays and fuses, starting and charging system parts, and vapor and purge components.
(2)
Electrical & Safety, which includes components for the electrical and safety systems of vehicles, and are powertrain neutral vehicle technologies. Product categories include electrical switches and actuators, chassis and drivetrain sensors such as anti-lock brake and vehicle speed sensors, fluid level sensors, pressure sensors such as tire pressure monitoring, temperature sensors, and sensors for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), along with battery cables, pigtails, sockets and a wide range of electrical wire, terminals, connectors, and tools for servicing a vehicle’s electrical system.
(3)
Wire Sets & Other, which includes spark plug wire sets, coil on plug boots and accessories servicing vehicle’s ignition system. Certain product categories within this group are in secular decline based upon product life cycle.
Many Vehicle Control systems use on-board computers to monitor inputs from sensing devices located throughout the vehicle. As the complexity of these systems continues to develop and proliferate, we expect to benefit from increased demand for our sensors, switches, actuators, valves, solenoids and related parts, which are designed to function with these systems.
We also expect to benefit from government regulations regarding vehicle safety and emissions. For example, we believe emissions laws and fuel economy regulations have had a positive impact on sales of our ignition, emissions control and fuel delivery parts since vehicles not meeting emissions inspection standards may require repairs utilizing parts sold by us. Similarly, as government-mandated safety devices, such as anti-lock braking systems and ADAS, proliferate with new vehicle production, we anticipate increased replacement opportunities for many of our products such as ABS sensors, TPMS sensors, traction control products and ADAS replacement parts.
Our Temperature Control Segment also services our core automotive aftermarket customers through its offering of premium replacement parts within the following major product groups:
(1)
AC System Components, which includes compressors, air conditioning repair kits, connecting lines, heat exchangers, and expansion devices.
(2)
Other Thermal Components, which includes parts that provide engine, transmission, electric drive motor, and battery temperature management.
We believe our Temperature Control Segment is poised to benefit from the broader adoption of more complex air conditioning systems that will provide passenger comfort regardless of the vehicle’s powertrain. For example, in addition to cabin comfort, powertrains such as electric vehicles will require cooling systems for the batteries, electronics, motors and other applications.
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The Engineered Solutions Segment services our vehicle and equipment manufacturing customers across diverse global end markets, including on-highway and off-highway applications such as commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports, marine, hydraulics and lawn and garden, through an offering of custom-engineered solutions within the following product categories:
(1)
Thermal Management Products, which are designed to control the operating temperature of HVAC, battery and heat exchange systems, such as electrical compressors, fans, motors and pumps.
(2)
Sensors, covering applications in speed, position, temperature, pressure, level and particulate matter, among others.
(3)
Switches, covering applications in electrical performance, position, temperature, pressure, tilt and fluid levels, among others.
(4)
Power Distribution, covering applications in power switching, industrial solenoids, and voltage regulators.
(5)
Electrification & Electronics, which includes controller area network (CAN) devices, CAN bus wiring and splitting devices, and electronic controls, transmitters and components.
(6)
Injection & Fuel Delivery, covering an extensive array of applications in transportation, such as gasoline, diesel and alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and hydrogen.
(7)
Ignition & Emissions, which includes wire, ignition coils and positive crankcase ventilation valves.
(8)
Clamping Devices, covering automotive and industrial applications.
Our Business Strategy
Our Corporate Mission is to be a leading global supplier of parts and services to diverse end markets for the vehicles of yesterday, today and tomorrow, while leveraging our heritage of integrity and respect for all of our stakeholders.
We sell our products in the automotive aftermarket primarily to retailers and warehouse distributors, who buy directly from us and sell directly to jobber stores, professional technicians and to individual consumers who perform “do-it-yourself” repairs on their personal vehicles. We believe that our value proposition is a key competitive advantage in maintaining our position as a strategic partner to our customers and a leader in the automotive aftermarket.
In the automotive aftermarket, our mission is to be the best full-line, full-service supplier of premium Vehicle Control and Temperature Control products.
Our Aftermarket Value Proposition
■ Premium Quality Products
■ Premium Brands
■ Full-Line Coverage
■ Supply Chain Excellence
■ Field Sales Support
■ Marketing Support
■ World-Class Training
■ Basic Manufacturing
Premium Quality Products.
We offer professional grade products intended to fit, form and function to standards that meet or exceed the original equipment (“OE”) product it replaces. Our products undergo rigorous product qualification, testing our products against exacting specifications and performance criteria. In some cases, we have successfully identified and implemented improvements in the durability of our products through the evaluation and analysis of OE product failures in the field.
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Premium Brands.
We believe that our brands are a key component of our value proposition, and serve to distinguish our premium products from those of our competitors. We market and distribute our products under our own brands, such as:
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
We also distribute our products to customers for resale under private labels and the following co-labels:
Vehicle
Control
In some cases, we have developed our product offering and brand strategies to support our customers’ initiatives to market a tiered product assortment designed to satisfy end-user preferences for quality and value. We believe that this alignment makes us an invaluable business partner to our customers.
Full-Line Coverage.
Our product offering is designed to ensure our automotive aftermarket customers have the parts they need to maintain, service and repair the wide range of vehicles in operation. We offer a full line of critical components for most years, makes, models and engine sizes. Our product offering is a reflection of the vehicles in operation, the adoption rates of new vehicle technologies by original equipment manufacturers, the number of miles driven, and the failure rates of parts in service. We continuously look to expand our coverage through the addition of late-model applications in existing product categories as well as new product categories in response to evolving vehicle technologies, or that otherwise complement our existing offering and have potential for high growth.
We focus on expanding our product coverage in advanced powertrain technologies, including start and stop technology, cylinder deactivation, variable valve timing, turbochargers, electronic throttle bodies, diesel exhaust emissions control, gasoline direct injection, active grill shutters; electrification, such as battery cooling fans, drive battery charging cables and adapters, and electric coolant pumps; and safety related categories, such as anti-lock brake, vehicle speed sensors, tire pressure monitoring, park assist sensors and advanced driver assistance components, including blind spot detection sensors, cruise control distance sensors, lane departure sensor cameras and park assist backup cameras.
In December 2023, we offered over 79,000 total stock keeping units (SKUs) to the automotive aftermarket. Approximately 2,600 of these SKUs were newly introduced in 2023, of which more than half were powertrain neutral vehicle technologies, such as cruise control distance sensors, park assist cameras and electronic parking brake actuators.
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Our Vehicle Control offering includes more than seventy product categories for hybrid electric vehicles. We are committed to strategically expanding our product offerings for electric and hybrid vehicles to service this important segment.
Supply Chain Excellence.
Product availability, including order turn-around time and fill rates, are critical measures of performance in the automotive aftermarket, and we partner with our suppliers and customers, to implement focused initiatives designed to achieve high levels of performance against these key metrics. For example, we manage forecasting responsibilities for our major retail customers, and provide twelve month projections to our suppliers to assist in their raw material and capacity planning to ensure continuity of supply.
In 2023, we announced plans to open a new distribution center in Shawnee, Kansas. The new facility, which is expected to have a phased opening beginning in 2024 and be fully operational in early 2025, will expand our total distribution network square footage to meet our growing demands in the automotive aftermarket, and integrate state-of-the-art technologies to deliver improved logistics capabilities, operational efficiencies, as well as enhanced employee, customer and supplier experiences. The new Shawnee, Kansas distribution facility will also bring our Vehicle Control products geographically closer to our Midwest and West Coast customers, reducing transportation lead-time, and will ultimately provide disaster recovery capabilities for automotive aftermarket products across our divisions.
Field Sales Support.
We believe our technically-trained salesforce is a key competitive advantage. Our field sales support focuses on educating parts professionals (e.g., customer team members) and professional technicians in highly technical product categories. Our customers depend on our sales personnel as a reliable source for technical information and to assist with sales to their customers (e.g., jobber stores, professional technicians and individual consumers performing “do-it-yourself” repairs). We direct a significant portion of our sales efforts to our customers’ customers to generate demand for our products. The structure of our salesforce facilitates these efforts, enabling us to implement our sales and marketing programs uniformly throughout the distribution channel.
Marketing Support.
We support our customers with superior value-added services such as data-driven category management based on vehicles in operation, sophisticated parts catalogs, available online and through our mobile application, and technical support, including selection, assortment and application support for all of our products. We also grant our customers royalty-free licenses to use certain intellectual property rights to advertise, market and sell our products. The licenses primarily cover vehicle application data, which is used to identify the parts necessary to service any particular vehicle make, model, year and/or engine size, product information data, including product interchanges, part numbers, attributes, high resolution images and videos, dimensions, specifications and other technical descriptions of parts and components.
World-Class Training.
We generate demand for our products through our technical training program, which offers training seminars to professional automotive technicians. Our training program is accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Training Managers Council. Our seminars are taught by ASE certified instructors, and are available in-person and online through webinars and on-demand seminars. Our seminars cover approximately 150 different topics, offered in both English and Spanish. Through our training program, we typically teach approximately 60,000 technicians annually how to diagnose and repair vehicles equipped with complex systems related to our products, and we have approximately 16,000 technicians and 7,000 of our customers’ store employees and sales team members who are registered to participate in such sessions through our online platform.
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Basic Manufacturing.
We are committed to expanding our design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and vertically integrating production processes to bring more manufacturing in-house. We engineer, tool and manufacture many of the products we offer for sale and the components used in their assembly. We believe this level of vertical integration, in combination with our manufacturing footprint in low cost regions, is a key competitive advantage in terms of the quality, cost and availability of our products.
Examples of vertically integrated processes:
➢ plastic molding operations
➢ automated electronics assembly
➢ stamping and machining operations
➢ design and fabrication of processing and test equipment
➢ wire extrusion
➢ teardown, diagnostics and rebuilding of remanufactured air conditioning compressors, diesel injectors and diesel pumps
As of December 31, 2023, all of our principal manufacturing facilities maintained quality management systems that were ISO 9001 and/or TS 16949 certified, and ten of our principal manufacturing and distribution facilities maintained environmental management systems that were ISO 14001 certified.
Our manufacturing footprint is geographically diverse with a greater presence in North America and Europe compared to many of our peers. We leverage our footprint to improve our cost position by locating labor-intensive processes within our low-cost plants, and by investing in automation and undertaking continuous improvement and expansion initiatives in our domestic facilities.
Our Engineered Solutions Value Proposition
We seek to leverage our extensive portfolio of adaptable products and strategically positioned global network of resources to deliver custom-engineered solutions for vehicle control and thermal management categories to the diversified end markets we supply.
Our Engineered Solutions products are sold primarily to original equipment manufacturers and their tier suppliers, system integrators, and original equipment service part operations. Our customers use our products in serial production and as service and replacement parts.
We believe our global network of resources, including our engineering capabilities, advanced quality systems, manufacturing, distribution and technical sales expertise, combined with our customizable solutions for vehicle control and thermal management categories, is a key competitive advantage. Our focus on vehicle control and thermal management categories leverages the legacy and leadership position of our automotive aftermarket business to provide a platform for future growth in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. We drive growth in this segment by developing new customer relationships, cross-selling to existing customers, introducing new products to new and existing customers, and increasing content per unit. Our growth strategy is long-term, and we do not expect growth to be linear given the lengthy nature of design engineering and validation and the period of time between the awarding of new business and the start of production, often which occurs 1-2 years after business is awarded.
We believe our automotive aftermarket business benefits from our Engineered Solutions business through accelerated future product development; systems, processes and quality enhancements; the technical insights of its original equipment customers; its global footprint; and synergistic mergers and acquisitions.
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We distribute our Engineered Solutions products under the following trade names:
Engineered
Solutions
Strategic Acquisitions
We selectively pursue strategic acquisitions that strengthen our position in the markets we supply or that diversify our business in target markets or geographies. Among other considerations, we seek acquisitions that align with our core competencies; enhance our existing design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities; and vertically integrate key technologies, products and processes.
For information on recent acquisitions and investments, see Note 2 “Business Acquisitions and Investments” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.
Industry Trends
The automotive aftermarket is a mature industry that tends to be influenced by trends such as the number of vehicles on the road, the average age of vehicles on the road, and the total number of miles driven per year. Weather extremes like unseasonably hot or cool temperatures in the summer can also have an impact on automotive aftermarket product demand.
In the diverse non-aftermarket end markets we supply, such as commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports and others, other economic factors such as the level of new vehicle sales and production rates, which more recently have been impacted by disruptions in the global supply chain and labor, tend to have a more direct impact.
Our Customers
In the automotive aftermarket, our customers are many of the largest national and regional retailers and distributors, such as: Advance Auto Parts; Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper (Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance); Automotive Distribution Network; AutoZone; Canadian Tire; Federated Auto Parts; Genuine Parts Company and National Automotive Parts Association; O’Reilly Auto Parts; The Automotive Parts Services Group or The Group; The National Pronto Association; and Uni-Select.
Engineered Solutions customers are many of the largest original equipment manufacturers and their tier suppliers, system integrators, and original equipment service part operations, such as: Bombardier; Carquest: Caterpillar; CNH; Daimler Truck; Eberspacher; Ford; General Motors; Harley-Davidson; IVECO; John Deere; Mobile Climate Control; Polaris; Scania; Volvo/Mack Truck; and Woodward.
Our three largest individual customers accounted for approximately 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2023. During 2023, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone and NAPA accounted for 29%, 16%, and 14% of our consolidated net sales, respectively.
Competition
Our business operates in highly competitive markets, and we face substantial competition in all of the markets that we supply.
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In the automotive aftermarket, we compete primarily on the basis of product quality, availability (including order turn-around time and fill rate), coverage and price, and value-added services. Our primary competitors are full-line suppliers, short- or value-line suppliers, tier suppliers and service part operations of original equipment manufacturers, including car dealerships, and the direct import programs of certain retailers.
In our Engineered Solutions segment, we compete on the basis of product quality, price and availability (including order turn-around time and fill rate), technical expertise (including product design, development and innovation), and lean process improvements. Our primary competitors are global and regional tier suppliers of original equipment manufacturers.
We believe we differentiate ourselves from our competition through the execution of our value proposition, discussed further above. In addition, in the automotive aftermarket, we offer a variety of strategic customer discounts, allowances and incentives to increase the sale of our products. For example, we offer cash discounts for paying invoices in accordance with the specified discounted terms of the invoice. We also offer rebates and discounts to customers as advertising and sales force allowances, and allowances for warranty and overstock returns are also provided. These discounts, allowances and incentives are a common practice in the automotive aftermarket, and we intend to continue offering them in response to competitive pressures and to strategically support growth in sales of our products.
Seasonality
Historically, our operating results have fluctuated by quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the second and third quarters of the year and revenues generally being recognized at the time of shipment. It is in these quarters that demand for our products is typically the highest, specifically in the Temperature Control Segment of our business. The demand for our Temperature Control products during the second and third quarters of the year may vary significantly with the summer weather and customer inventories.
Working Capital and Inventory Management
We maintain an inventory management system that is designed to reduce inventory requirements, and enhance our ability to compete on the basis of product availability (including order turn-around time and fill rate) and product coverage. We seek continuous improvements in this system to improve inventory deployment, enhance collaboration with customers on forecasts and inventory assortments, and further integrate our supply chain with both our customers and suppliers. We also utilize a pack-to-order distribution system, which permits us to retain slow moving items in a bulk storage state until a related order is received. This system reduces the volume of a given part in inventory.
We face inventory management issues in our automotive Aftermarket business as a result of overstock returns. We permit our automotive Aftermarket customers to return new, undamaged products within customer-specific limits (which are generally limited to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us) in the event that they have overstocked their inventories. We accrue for overstock returns as a percentage of sales after giving consideration to recent returns history. In addition, as discussed further above under the heading “Seasonality”, the seasonality of our Temperature Control Segment requires that we increase our inventory during the winter season in preparation of the summer selling season.
As such, our profitability and working capital requirements are seasonal due to our sales mix of Temperature Control products. Our working capital requirements typically peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales, and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received. These increased working capital requirements are funded by borrowings from our revolving credit facility in our Credit Agreement.
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Suppliers
We source materials through a global network of suppliers to ensure a consistent, high quality and low cost supply of materials and key components for our product lines. As a result of the breadth of our product offering, we are not dependent on any single raw material. Irrespective, disruptions in the global economy have impeded global supply chains, resulting in inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation, in longer lead times, delays in procuring component parts and raw materials, and in prior year inventory increases, which are subsequently being worked down. In response to the global supply chain volatility and inflationary cost increases, we have taken, and continue to take, several actions to mitigate the impact by working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts on our business, including implementing cost savings initiatives and the pass through of higher costs to our customers in the form of price increases.
The principal raw materials purchased by us consist of brass, electronic components, fabricated copper (primarily in the form of magnet and insulated cable), steel magnets, laminations, tubes and shafts, stamped steel parts, stainless steel coils and rods, aluminum coils, fittings, rods, cast aluminum parts, lead, steel roller bearings, rubber molding compound, thermo-set and thermo plastic molding powders, and chemicals.
Additionally, we use components and cores (used parts) in our remanufacturing processes for air conditioning compressors, diesel injectors, and diesel pumps. We obtain cores from exchanges with customers who return cores subsequent to purchasing remanufactured products, and from a network of core brokers who sell cores. In addition, we acquire certain materials by purchasing products that are resold into the market, particularly by OEM sources and other domestic and foreign suppliers.
We expect to have an adequate supply of primary raw materials and cores necessary to meet our needs; however, there always are risks and uncertainties with respect to the supply of raw materials and components that could impact their availability in sufficient quantities and at cost effective prices to meet our needs.
Sustainability
We support and seek continuous improvement in the pursuit of environmental, social and corporate governance practices that embody our culture and what we believe it means to be a good corporate citizen.
Our Culture
Our Company was founded in 1919 on the values of integrity, common decency and respect for others. These values are embodied in our Code of Ethics, which has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company to serve as a statement of principles to guide our decision-making and reinforce our commitment to these values in all aspects of our business. These values also serve as the foundation for our continued focus on many important sustainability issues.
Environmental Stewardship
We have made significant strides with respect to our sustainability initiatives, building awareness of the environmental impact of our operations, and challenging ourselves to reduce our impact by reducing our usage of energy and water, reducing our generation of waste, increasing our recycling efforts and reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we believe our product offering contributes to a greener car parc through several key product categories that are critical components in automotive systems designed to improve fuel economy and reduce harmful emissions, such as fuel injectors, exhaust gas recirculation valves, sensors and tubes, and evaporative emission control system components. We also bring to market alternative energy products, which utilize cleaner burning fuels or are designed for electric or hybrid electric vehicles, and we remanufacture key categories within our product portfolio, such as air conditioning compressors, diesel injectors and diesel pumps, through processes that save energy and reduce waste.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2023, we employed approximately 5,200 people, with 2,100 people in the United States and 3,100 people in Mexico, Canada, Poland, the U.K., Germany, Hungary, China and Hong Kong. Of the 5,200 people employed, approximately 2,600 people are production employees. We operate primarily in non-union facilities and have binding labor agreements with employees at other unionized facilities. We have approximately 75 production employees in Edwardsville, Kansas, who will eventually migrate to our new Shawnee, KS facility, who are covered by a contract with The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America that expires in August 2026. We also have approximately 1,200 employees in Mexico who are covered under union agreements negotiated at various intervals. For clarification, the employee numbers described above exclude the employees of our joint venture operations. We believe our facilities are in labor markets with ready access to adequate numbers of skilled and unskilled workers, and our relations with our union and non-union employees are good.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. We strive to hire, retain and advance a diverse workforce that reflects the communities that we serve. Our recent efforts have been focused in three areas: inspiring innovation through an inclusive and diverse culture; expanding our efforts to recruit and hire world-class diverse talent; and identifying strategic partners to accelerate our inclusion and diversity programs.
Health, Safety and Wellness. We are committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees. We strive to eliminate workplace incidents, risks and hazards. Our health and wellness programs support our employees’ physical and mental health by providing tools and resources to encourage healthy behaviors and provide peace of mind in circumstances that may require time away from work.
Compensation and Benefits. We provide competitive compensation and benefits programs that meet the needs of our employees. In addition to wages and salaries, these programs include annual cash bonuses, stock awards, a 401(k) Plan, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, family leave, fertility benefits, family care resources, tuition reimbursement, LGBTQ+ inclusive benefits, mental health resources and employee assistance programs.
Talent Development. We invest significant resources to develop the talent of our high potential employees. We deliver employee workshops and mentoring programs, numerous training opportunities, provide rotational assignment opportunities, offer continuous learning and development, and implement methodologies to manage performance, provide feedback and develop talent opportunities, all designed to provide employees with the resources they need to help achieve their career goals and build management skills. Our annual review process encourages manager and employee conversations throughout the year to enhance growth and development.
Employee satisfaction and engagement are important elements in our talent retention strategy. From time to time, we conduct employee engagement surveys to identify areas where we can enhance our talent retention strategy and employee satisfaction, including fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. We utilize the results from these engagement surveys to better provide employees with the tools, resources and support that they need to succeed and grow in their SMP careers.
Social Engagement and Community Service
We believe that building connections between our employees, their families and our communities creates a more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable workplace. Through our SMP Cares® initiative, we sponsor corporate giving and volunteering programs to encourage our employees to connect with our local communities and engage in the local causes that they are passionate about.
Governance
Our commitment to sustainability is spearheaded by our Board of Directors. Specifically, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee established a sustainability steering committee among our executive officers including our Chief Executive Officer & President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Senior Vice President of North American Operations. This sustainability steering committee is tasked with developing specific strategies to ensure that our company-wide operations adhere to our corporate governance values and advance our sustainability objectives globally. The multidisciplinary approach of our steering committee allows it to leverage our expertise in operations, engineering, supply chain, human capital management, finance, legal and other fields to push our sustainability initiatives ahead from all angles.
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Continued Commitment
With each year, we intend to further our commitment to sustainability initiatives, improving our environmental stewardship, finding ways to give back to our communities, and enhancing the diversity and inclusion of our workforce while offering opportunities for development. Information on our sustainability initiatives can be found in our most current sustainability report and on our corporate website at ir.smpcorp.com under “Environmental & Social Responsibility” and at smpcares.smpcorp.com. Information in our sustainability report and on our corporate websites regarding our sustainability initiatives are referenced for general information only and are not incorporated by reference in this Report.
Available Information
We are a New York corporation founded in 1919. Our principal executive offices are located at 37-18 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, New York 11101, and our main telephone number at that location is (718) 392-0200. Our Internet address is www.smpcorp.com. We provide a link to reports that we have filed with the SEC. However, for those persons that make a request in writing or by e-mail (financial@smpcorp.com), we will provide free of charge our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These reports and other information are also available, free of charge, at www.sec.gov.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or other factors not perceived by us to present significant risks to our business at this time also may impair our business and results of operations. If any of the stated risks actually occur, they could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.
Risks Related to Our Operations
We depend on a limited number of key customers, and the loss of any such customer, or a significant reduction in purchases by such customer, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our three largest individual customers accounted for approximately 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2023. During 2023, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone and NAPA accounted for 29%, 16% and 14% of our consolidated net sales, respectively. The loss of one or more of these customers or, a significant reduction in purchases of our products from any one of them could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any consolidation among our key customers may further increase our customer concentration risk.
In our automotive aftermarket business, we do not typically enter into long-term agreements with any of our customers. Instead, we enter into a number of purchase order commitments with our aftermarket customers, based on their current or projected needs. We have in the past, and may in the future, lose customers or lose a particular product line of a customer due to the highly competitive conditions in the automotive aftermarket industry, including pricing pressures, consolidation of customers, customer initiatives to buy direct from foreign suppliers and/or to pursue a private brand strategy, or other business considerations. A decision by any significant customer, whether motivated by competitive conditions, financial difficulties or otherwise, to materially decrease the amount of products purchased from us, to change their manner of doing business with us, or to stop doing business with us, including a decision to source products directly from a low cost region such as Asia, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because our sales are concentrated, and the markets in which we operate are very competitive, we are under ongoing pressure from our customers to offer lower prices, extend payment terms, increase marketing allowances and other terms more favorable to these customers. These customer demands have put continued pressure on our operating margins and profitability, resulted in periodic contract renegotiation to provide more favorable prices and terms to these customers, and significantly increased our working capital needs.
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Our industry is highly competitive, and our success depends on our ability to compete with suppliers of automotive products, some of which may have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.
The automotive industry is highly competitive, and our success depends on our ability to compete with domestic and international suppliers of automotive products. In the automotive aftermarket, we compete primarily with full-line suppliers, short- or value-line suppliers, tier suppliers and service part operations of original equipment manufacturers, including car dealerships, and the direct import programs of certain retailers. In the diverse non-aftermarket end markets we supply, we compete primarily with global and regional tier suppliers of original equipment manufacturers. Some of our competitors may have larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. These factors may allow our competitors to:
•
respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements by devoting greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of automotive products and services;
•
engage in more extensive research and development;
•
sell products at a lower price than we do;
•
undertake more extensive marketing campaigns; and
•
make more attractive offers to existing and potential customers and strategic partners.
We cannot assure you that our competitors will not develop products or services that are equal or superior to our products or that achieve greater market acceptance than our products or that in the future other companies involved in the automotive industry will not expand their operations into product lines produced and sold by us. We also cannot assure you that additional entrants will not enter the automotive industry or that companies in the industry will not consolidate. Any such competitive pressures could cause us to lose market share or could result in significant price decreases and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations.
There is substantial price competition in our industry, and our success and profitability will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive cost and price structure.
There is substantial price competition in our industry, and our success and profitability will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive cost and price structure. This is the result of a number of industry trends, including the impact of offshore suppliers in the marketplace (particularly in China) which do not have the same infrastructure costs as we do, the consolidated purchasing power of large customers, and actions taken by some of our competitors in an effort to ‘‘win over’’ new business. We have in the past reduced prices to remain competitive and may have to do so again in the future. Price reductions have impacted our sales and profit margins and may do so in the future. Our future profitability will depend in part upon our ability to respond to changes in product and distribution channel mix, to continue to improve our manufacturing efficiencies, to generate cost reductions, including reductions in the cost of components purchased from outside suppliers, to maintain a cost structure that will enable us to offer competitive prices, and to pass through higher distribution, raw materials and labor costs to our customers. Our inability to maintain a competitive cost structure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our business is seasonal and is subject to substantial quarterly fluctuations, which impact our quarterly performance and working capital requirements.
Historically, our operating results have fluctuated by quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the second and third quarters of the year and revenues generally being recognized at the time of shipment. It is in these quarters that demand for our temperature control products is typically the highest.
The demand for our temperature control products during the second and third quarters of the year may vary significantly with the summer weather and customer inventories. As such, our working capital requirements typically peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales, and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received. These increased working capital requirements are funded by borrowing from our revolving credit facility in our Credit Agreement.
Climate-related physical risks, such as changes to weather patterns and conditions may also impact the pattern of seasonality and variability in demand for our Temperature Control products discussed above, which may impact our quarterly performance and working capital requirements.
We may incur material losses and significant costs as a result of warranty-related returns by our customers in excess of anticipated amounts.
Our products are required to meet rigorous standards imposed by our customers and our industry. Many of our products carry a warranty ranging from a 90-day limited warranty to a lifetime limited warranty, which generally covers defects in materials or workmanship, and conformance to agreed upon specifications. In the event that our products fail to conform to these warranties, the affected products may be subject to warranty returns and/or product recalls. Although we maintain a comprehensive quality control program, we cannot give any assurance that our products will not suffer from defects or other deficiencies or that we will not experience material warranty returns or product recalls in the future.
We accrue for warranty returns as a percentage of sales, after giving consideration to recent historical returns. While we believe that we make reasonable estimates for warranty returns in accordance with our revenue recognition policies, actual returns may differ from our estimates. We have in the past incurred, and may in the future incur, material losses and significant costs as a result of our customers returning products to us for warranty-related issues in excess of anticipated amounts. Deficiencies or defects in our products in the future may result in warranty returns and product recalls in excess of anticipated amounts and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our profitability may be materially adversely affected as a result of overstock inventory related returns by our customers in excess of anticipated amounts.
In our automotive aftermarket business, we permit overstock returns of inventory that may be either new or non-defective or non-obsolete but that we believe we can re-sell. Customers are generally limited to returning overstocked inventory according to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us. In addition, a customer’s annual allowance cannot be carried forward to the upcoming year.
We accrue for overstock returns as a percentage of sales, after giving consideration to recent historical returns. While we believe that we make reasonable estimates for overstock returns in accordance with our revenue recognition policies, actual returns may differ from our estimates. To the extent that overstocked returns are materially in excess of our projections, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Index
We may be materially adversely affected by asbestos claims arising from products sold by our former brake business, as well as by other product liability claims.
In 1986, we acquired a brake business, which we subsequently sold in March 1998. When we originally acquired this brake business, we assumed future liabilities relating to any alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the seller of the acquired brake business. In accordance with the related purchase agreement, we agreed to assume the liabilities for all new claims filed after September 2001. Our ultimate exposure will depend upon the number of claims filed against us on or after September 2001, and the amounts paid for settlements, awards of asbestos-related damages, and defense of such claims. We do not have insurance coverage for the indemnity and defense costs associated with the claims we face.
At December 31, 2023, 1,390 cases were outstanding for which we may be responsible for any related liabilities. Since inception in September 2001 through December 31, 2023, the amounts paid for settled claims and awards of asbestos-related damages, including interest, were approximately $74.6 million. A substantial increase in the number of new claims, or increased settlement payments, or awards of asbestos-related damages, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In accordance with our policy to perform an annual actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year, an actuarial study was performed as of August 31, 2023. Based upon the results of the August 31, 2023 actuarial study, and all other available information to us, we increased our asbestos liability to the low end of the range, and recorded an incremental pre-tax provision of $23.8 million in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations. The results of the August 31, 2023 study included an estimate of our undiscounted liability for settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages, excluding legal costs, ranging from $84 million to $135.3 million for the period through 2065. Future legal costs, which are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations, are estimated, according to the August 31, 2023 study, to range from $53.1 million to $105.2 million for the period through 2065.
Given the uncertainties associated with projecting asbestos-related matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we cannot give any assurance that significant increases in the number of claims filed against us will not occur, that awards of asbestos-related damages or settlement awards will not exceed the amount we have in reserve, or that additional provisions will not be required. Management will continue to monitor the circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether additional reserves and provisions may be necessary. We plan on performing an annual actuarial analysis during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary.
In addition to asbestos-related claims, our product sales entail the risk of involvement in other product liability actions. We maintain product liability insurance coverage, but we cannot give any assurance that current or future policy limits will be sufficient to cover all possible liabilities. Further, we can give no assurance that adequate product liability insurance will continue to be available to us in the future or that such insurance may be maintained at a reasonable cost to us. In the event of a successful product liability claim against us, a lack or insufficiency of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to achieve the benefits that we expect from our cost savings initiatives.
We expect to realize the continued benefit of discretionary cost reduction measures, along with the continued cost savings anticipated from several ongoing and/or recently completed restructuring and integration initiatives. Due to factors outside our control, such as the adoption or modification of domestic and foreign laws, regulations or policies, we may not be able to achieve the level of benefits that we expect to realize in these initiatives, or we may not be able to realize these benefits within the time frames we currently expect. Our ability to achieve any anticipated cost savings could be affected by a number of factors such as changes in the amount, timing and character of charges related to such initiatives, or a substantial delay in the completion of such initiatives. Failure to achieve the benefits of our cost saving initiatives could have a material adverse effect on us. Our cost savings is also predicated upon maintaining our sales levels.
Index
Severe weather, natural disasters and other disruptions could adversely impact our operations at our manufacturing and distribution facilities.
Severe weather conditions and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and floods, could damage our properties and effect our operations, particularly our major manufacturing and distribution operations at foreign facilities in Canada, China, Mexico, Poland, Germany and Hungary and at our domestic facilities in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Moreover, global climate change may cause these natural disasters to occur more frequently and/or with more intense effects, which could prevent us from, or cause delays in our ability to, manufacture and deliver products to our customers, and/or cause us to incur additional costs.
In addition, our business and operations could be materially adversely affected in the event of other serious disruptions at these facilities due to fire, electrical blackouts, power losses, telecommunications failures, wars, terrorist attack or similar events. Any of these occurrences could impair our ability to adequately manufacture or supply our customers due to all or a significant portion of our equipment or inventory being damaged. If our existing manufacturing or distribution facilities become incapable of producing and supplying products for any reason, we may not be able to satisfy our customers’ requirements and we may lose revenue and incur significant costs and expenses that may not be recoverable through our business interruption insurance.
Disruptions in the supply of raw materials, manufactured components, or equipment could materially and adversely affect our operations and cause us to incur significant cost increases.
We source various types of raw materials, finished goods, equipment, and component parts from suppliers as part of a global supply chain, and we may be materially and adversely affected by the failure of those suppliers to perform as expected. Although we have had an adequate supply of purchased supplier raw materials, finished goods, equipment and component parts, disruptions in the global economy have impeded global supply chains, resulting in longer lead times and delays in procuring component parts and raw materials, and inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation. In response to the global supply chain volatility and inflationary cost increases, we have taken, and continue to take, several actions to mitigate the impact by working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts on our business, including initiating cost savings initiatives and the pass through of higher costs to our customers. We cannot assure that unforeseen future events in the global supply chain affecting the availability of materials and components, and/or increasing commodity pricing, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, supplier non-performance may consist of delivery delays or failures caused by production issues or delivery of non-conforming products. Our suppliers’ ability to supply products to us is also subject to a number of risks, including the availability and cost of raw materials, the destruction of their facilities, work stoppages, cybersecurity incidents affecting their information systems or other limitations on their business operations, which could be caused by any number of factors, such as labor disruptions, financial distress, severe weather conditions and natural disasters, social unrest, economic and political instability, and public health crises, including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war, terrorism or other catastrophic events. In addition, our failure to promptly pay, or order sufficient quantities of inventory from our suppliers may increase the cost of products we purchase or may lead to suppliers refusing to sell products to us at all. Our efforts to protect against and to minimize these risks may not always be effective.
Our Operations could be adversely affected by interruptions or breaches in the security of our computer and information systems.
We rely on information systems throughout our organization to conduct day-to-day business operations, including the management of our supply chain and our purchasing, receiving and distribution functions. We also routinely use our information systems to send, receive, store, access and use sensitive data relating to our Company and its employees, customers, suppliers, and business partners, including intellectual property, proprietary business information, and other sensitive materials. Additionally, we rely on our information systems to enable many of our employees to work remotely as a result of more recent policies and practices enacted by us.
Index
Despite security measures designed to prevent and mitigate the risk of cybersecurity incidents, our information systems, and the systems of our customers, suppliers and business partners, may be vulnerable to such incidents, including interruptions, outages, data breaches, phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, unauthorized access, attempts to hack into our network, and computer viruses. Moreover, the technologies and techniques used to carry out cyber-attacks are continuously evolving, making it difficult to detect these changes or implement adequate measures in time to prevent or mitigate the impact of an attack. Due to the foregoing, though we have not experienced a material cybersecurity incident in 2023, we cannot guarantee that there will be no future cybersecurity incident that causes a material adverse effect on our information systems, or that of our customers, suppliers and other business partners.
In the event that our information systems, or the systems of our customers, suppliers or business partners, are subject to such incidents, we could experience errors, interruptions, delays, and/or the cessation of services in key portions of our information systems. If critical information systems fail or otherwise become unavailable, our ability to process orders, maintain proper inventory levels, collect accounts receivable and disburse funds could be adversely affected. The foregoing matters could also cause significant damage to our business reputation, affect our relationships with our business partners, lead to claims against us, and/or subject us to fines or other penalties assessed by governmental authorities. Additionally, we may be required to incur substantial costs to remediate the damage caused by these disruptions or protect us against future cybersecurity incidents. Depending on the nature and magnitude of these events, they could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The transition risks associated with global climate change may cause us to incur significant costs.
In addition to the physical risks described above, global climate change has brought about certain risks associated with the anticipated transition to a lower-carbon economy, such as regulatory changes affecting vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency requirements, technological changes in vehicle architectures, changes in consumer demand, carbon taxes, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from certain sources. Any regulatory changes aimed to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions may require us to incur increased operating costs, such as to purchase and operate emissions control systems or other such technologies to comply with applicable regulations or reporting requirements. These regulations, as well as shifts in consumer demand due to public awareness and concern of climate change, could affect the timing and scope of their proliferation and may also adversely impact our sales of products designed for the internal combustion engines. As we monitor the rapid developments in this area, we may be required to adjust our business strategy to address the various transition risks posed by climate change.
Failure to maintain the value of our brands could have an adverse effect on our reputation, cause us to incur significant costs and negatively impact our business.
Our brands are a key component of our value proposition, and serve to distinguish our premium products from those of our competitors. In our automotive aftermarket business, we believe that our success depends, in part, on maintaining and enhancing the value of our brands and executing our brand strategies, which are designed to drive end-user demand for our products and make us a valued business partner to our aftermarket customers through the support of their marketing initiatives. A decline in the reputation of our brands as a result of events, such as deficiencies or defects in the design or manufacture of our products, or from legal proceedings, product recalls or warranty claims resulting from such deficiencies or defects, may harm our reputation as a manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive parts, reduce demand for our products and adversely affect our business.
Index
Our revenue and results of operations may suffer upon the bankruptcy, insolvency or other credit failure of a significant customer.
Most of our customers buy products from us on credit. We extend credit to customers and offer extended payment terms based upon competitive conditions in the marketplace and our assessment and analysis of creditworthiness. General economic conditions, competition and other factors may adversely affect the solvency or creditworthiness of our customers. Higher interest rates, inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation and a general worsening of economic conditions have put financial pressure on many of our customers and may threaten certain customers’ ability to maintain liquidity sufficient to repay their obligations to us as they become due. The bankruptcy, insolvency or other credit failure of any customer that has a substantial amount owed to us could have a material adverse effect on our operating revenue and results of operations. We recorded a $7 million pre-tax charge in 2022 to reduce our outstanding accounts receivable balance from a customer that filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2023 to our estimated recovery amount.
In our Engineered Solutions business, our supply agreements with our customers are generally requirements contracts, and a decline in the production requirements of any of our significant customers could adversely impact our revenues and profitability.
In our Engineered Solutions business, our customers generally agree to purchase their requirements for specific products, and we receive volume forecasts of their requirements, but not long-term firm volume commitments. Furthermore, our customers typically reserve the right to change, delay or cancel their orders for products, and we have limited recourse in such events. Changes, delays or cancellations by a significant customer or by a number of customers could adversely impact our results of operations by reducing the volumes of products we manufacture and sell, by causing a delay in the recovery of expenditures for raw materials and component parts procured to satisfy such orders, or by reducing our asset utilization, resulting in lower profitability.
We also make key decisions based on our estimates of our customers’ requirements, including in planning our production schedules, raw material and component part purchases, personnel needs and other resource requirements. Changes in demand for our customers’ products would likely reduce our customers’ requirements and adversely impact our ability to accurately estimate their requirements in the future. Any significant decrease or delay in customer orders could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our inability to attract or retain key employees may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate certain key employees, including our management and our skilled workforce of engineers, technically-trained salesforce employees and other qualified personnel. Many of our key employees have many years of experience with our Company and would be difficult to replace without allotment of a significant amount of time for knowledge transfer. Furthermore, although we believe our facilities are in labor markets with ready access to adequate numbers of skilled and unskilled workers, we compete with other businesses to fill many of our hourly positions in our distribution facilities, which historically have had high turnover rates, which can lead to increased training and retention costs, particularly in a competitive and shrinking labor market. We cannot be certain that we will be able to continue to attract or retain our key employees, which could cause us to fail to execute our value proposition, fail to achieve operational efficiencies, and incur increased labor costs, which could have an adverse effect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Index
Risks Related to Liquidity
We are exposed to risks related to our receivables supply chain financing arrangements.
We are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable without recourse to such customers’ financial institutions. To the extent that these arrangements are terminated, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected by extended payment terms, delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables.
The utility of the supply chain financing arrangements also depends upon a benchmark reference rate for the purpose of determining the discount rate on the sale of the underlying trade accounts receivable. If the benchmark reference rate increases significantly, we may be negatively impacted as we may not be able to pass these added costs on to our customers, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Depending upon the level of sales of receivables pursuant these agreements, a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the reference rate may have an approximate $8.3 million negative impact on our earnings or cash flows.
A significant increase in our indebtedness, or in interest rates, could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have a Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders. The Credit Agreement provides for a $500 million credit facility comprised of a $100 million term loan facility and a $400 million multi-currency revolving credit facility available in U.S. Dollars, Euros, Sterling, Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars and other currencies as agreed to by the administrative agent and the lenders. As of December 31, 2023, our total outstanding indebtedness was $156.2 million, including outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement of $156 million, consisting of current borrowings of $5 million and long-term borrowings of $151 million.
Borrowings under our Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s election, at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR plus 0.10% plus an applicable margin, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin, where the alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and one-month Term SOFR plus 0.10% plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for the term benchmark borrowings ranges from 1.0% to 2.0%, and the applicable margin for alternate base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 1.0%, in each case, based on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries.
The significant increase in our indebtedness could:
•
increase our borrowing costs;
•
limit our ability to obtain additional financing or borrow additional funds;
•
require that a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations be used to pay principal and interest in our indebtedness, instead of funding working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, stock repurchases, or other general corporate purposes;
•
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
•
increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions.
In addition, the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by its material domestic subsidiaries (each, a “Guarantor”), and secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the existing and future personal property of the Company and each Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions. The collateral security described above also secures certain banking services obligations and interest rate swaps and currency or other hedging obligations of the Company owing to any of the then existing lenders or any affiliates thereof. Concurrently with the Company’s entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company also entered into a seven year interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Co-Syndication Agent and lender under the Credit Agreement, on $100 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate swap agreement matures in May 2029.
Index
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of liens, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests, acquisitions, investments, loans and guarantees, subject, in each case, to customary exceptions, thresholds and baskets. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If we were default on any of these covenants, or on any of our indebtedness, if interest rates were to significantly increase, or the financial institution that is a party to our interest rate swap agreement were to default, or if we are unable to obtain necessary liquidity, our business could be adversely affected.
We may not be able to generate the significant amount of cash needed to satisfy our obligations or maintain sufficient liquidity through borrowing capacities.
Our ability either to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness, or to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts, will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is in part subject to:
•
general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control;
•
the ability of our customers to pay timely the amounts we have billed; and
•
our ability to sell receivables under supply chain financing arrangements.
The foregoing factors could result in reduced cash flow, which could have a material adverse effect on us. When cash generated by earnings is not sufficient for the Company’s liquidity needs, the Company seeks external financing. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities on terms that are beneficial to us could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the economy generally. During periods of disruptions in the credit and capital markets, potential sources of external financing could be reduced, and borrowing costs could increase. A significant downgrade in the company’s credit ratings could increase its borrowing costs and limit access to capital.
Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our Credit Agreement will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among other things, that we will be able to mitigate the future impact, if any, of disruptions in global supply chains, which have resulted in longer lead times and delays in procuring component parts and raw materials, and significant inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation, and that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements. If we are unable to fund our operations through earnings or external financing, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as:
•
deferring, reducing or eliminating future cash dividends;
•
reducing or delaying capital expenditures or restructuring activities;
•
reducing or delaying research and development efforts;
•
selling assets;
•
deferring or refraining from pursuing certain strategic initiatives and acquisitions;
•
refinancing our indebtedness; and
•
seeking additional funding.
Index
We cannot assure you that, if material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements should occur, our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our Credit Agreement in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs. In addition, if we default on any of our indebtedness, or breach any financial covenant in our Credit Agreement, our business could be adversely affected.
We have significant goodwill and other intangible assets, and future impairment of these assets could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
A significant portion of our long-term assets consists of goodwill and other intangible assets recorded as a result of past acquisitions. We do not amortize goodwill and certain other intangible assets having indefinite lives, but rather test them for impairment on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate the fair value is below its carrying amount. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets requires significant judgement, specifically with respect to applying assumptions and estimates to the analysis of identifiable intangibles and long-lived asset impairment including projecting revenues, interest rates, tax rates and the cost of capital. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods. These changes could result in impairment charges against our goodwill and other intangible assets. In the event that we determine that our goodwill or other intangible assets are impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to External Factors
We conduct our manufacturing and distribution operations on a worldwide basis and are subject to risks associated with doing business outside the United States.
We have manufacturing and distribution facilities in many countries, including Canada, Mexico, Poland, Germany and Hungary, as well as joint-ventures in China. There are a number of risks associated with doing business internationally, including: (a) exposure to local economic and political conditions; (b) social unrest such as risks of terrorism or other hostilities; (c) currency exchange rate fluctuations and currency controls; (d) the effect of potential changes in U.S. trade policy and international trade agreements; and (e) the potential for shortages of trained labor.
In particular, historically there has been social unrest in Hong Kong and Mexico and any recurrence, or increased violence in or around our facilities in such countries could be disruptive to our business operations at such facilities, or present risks to our employees who may be directly affected by the violence and may result in a decision by them to relocate from the area, or make it difficult for us to recruit or retain talented employees at such facilities.
Furthermore, changes in U.S. trade policy, particularly as it relates to China, have resulted in the assessment of increased tariffs on goods that we import into the United States, and have caused uncertainty about the future of free trade generally. We benefit from free trade agreements, such as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The repeal or modification of the USMCA or further increases to tariffs on goods imported into the United States could increase our costs to source materials, component parts and finished goods from other countries. The likelihood of such occurrences and their potential effect on us is unpredictable and may vary from country to country. Any such occurrences could be harmful to our business and our financial results.
We may incur liabilities under government regulations and environmental laws, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Domestic and foreign political developments and government laws and regulations directly affect automotive consumer products in the United States and abroad. In the United States, these laws and regulations include standards relating to vehicle safety, fuel economy and emissions, among others. Furthermore, increased public awareness and concern regarding climate change may result in new laws and regulations designed to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise effect the transition to a lower-carbon economy. The modification of existing laws, regulations or policies, or the adoption of new laws, regulations or policies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our operations and properties are subject to a wide variety of increasingly complex and stringent federal, state, local and international laws and regulations, including those governing the use, storage, handling, generation, treatment, emission, release, discharge and disposal of materials, substances and wastes, the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater and the health and safety of employees. Such environmental laws, including but not limited to those under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation & Liability Act, may impose joint and several liability and may apply to conditions at properties presently or formerly owned or operated by an entity or its predecessors, as well as to conditions at properties at which wastes or other contamination attributable to an entity or its predecessors have been sent or otherwise come to be located.
The nature of our operations exposes us to the risk of claims with respect to such matters, and we can give no assurance that violations of such laws have not occurred or will not occur or that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in connection with such claims. We are currently monitoring our environmental remediation efforts at one of our facilities and our reserve balance related to the environmental clean-up at this facility is $1.4 million at December 31, 2023. The environmental testing and any remediation costs at such facility may be covered by several insurance policies, although we can give no assurance that our insurance will cover any environmental remediation claims. We also maintain insurance to cover our existing U.S. and Canadian facilities. We can give no assurance that the future cost of compliance with existing environmental laws and the liability for known environmental claims pursuant to such environmental laws will not give rise to additional significant expenditures or liabilities that would be material to us. In addition, future events, such as new information, changes in existing environmental laws or their interpretation, and more vigorous enforcement policies of federal, state or local regulatory agencies, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future performance may be materially adversely affected by changes in technologies and improvements in the quality of new vehicle parts.
If we do not respond appropriately to changes in automotive technologies, such as the adoption of new technologies and systems to make traditional, internal-combustion-engine vehicles more efficient, or the adoption of electric or hybrid electric vehicle architectures, we could experience less demand for our products thereby causing a decline in our results of operations or deterioration in our business and financial condition, and we may have a material adverse effect on our long-term performance.
In addition, the size of the automotive aftermarket depends, in part, upon the growth in number of vehicles on the road, increase in average vehicle age, change in total miles driven per year, new or modified environmental and vehicle safety regulations, including fuel economy and emissions reduction standards, increase in pricing of new cars and new car quality and related warranties. The automotive aftermarket has been negatively impacted by the fact that the quality of more recent automotive vehicles and their component parts (and related warranties) has improved, thereby lengthening the repair cycle. Generally, if parts last longer, there will be less demand for our aftermarket products and the average useful life of automotive parts has been steadily increasing in recent years due to innovations in products and technology. In addition, the introduction by original equipment manufacturers of increased warranty and maintenance initiatives has the potential to decrease the demand for our aftermarket products. When proper maintenance and repair procedures are followed, newer air conditioning (A/C) systems in particular are less prone to leak resulting in fewer A/C system repairs. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
We maintain our executive offices in Long Island City, New York. The table below describes our principal facilities as of December 31, 2023.
Location
State or
Country
Principal Business Activity
Approx.
Square
Feet
Owned or
Expiration
Date
of Lease¹
Vehicle Control
Bialystok
Poland
Manufacturing
154,800
Disputanta
VA
Distribution
411,000
Owned
Edwardsville
KS
Distribution
363,500
Owned
Ft. Lauderdale
FL
Distribution
23,300
Owned
Ft. Lauderdale
FL
Distribution
30,000
Owned
Greenville2
SC
Manufacturing
184,500
Owned
Independence2
KS
Manufacturing
337,400
Owned
Long Island City
NY
Administration
75,800
McAllen
TX
Distribution
120,300
Mishawaka2
IN
Manufacturing
153,100
Owned
Reynosa2
Mexico
Manufacturing
175,000
Reynosa2
Mexico
Manufacturing
153,000
Shawnee3
KS
Distribution
574,700
Temperature Control
Foshan City
China
Manufacturing
361,500
Lewisville
TX
Administration and Distribution
415,000
Reynosa2
Mexico
Manufacturing
82,000
Reynosa2
Mexico
Manufacturing
117,500
Reynosa
Mexico
Manufacturing
111,800
St. Thomas
Canada
Manufacturing
42,500
Owned
Engineered Solutions
Kirchheim-Teck
Germany
Distribution
27,500
Pécel
Hungary
Manufacturing
59,500
Owned
Milwaukee
WI
Manufacturing
84,000
Sheboygan Falls
WI
Manufacturing
22,500
Tijuana
Mexico
Distribution
13,800
Tijuana
Mexico
Manufacturing
30,400
Wuxi
China
Manufacturing
27,600
Other
Mississauga
Canada
Administration and Distribution
82,400
Irving
TX
Training Center
13,400
1 It is our intention to extend the leases that are set to expire in 2024.
2 These facilities are also utilized by the Engineered Solutions operating segment.
3 This facility is expected to have a phased opening beginning in 2024 and be fully operational in early 2025, and once operational, it will also be utilized by the Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions operating segments.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report under the caption “Asbestos” appearing in Note 23, “Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.

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

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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 trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading symbol “SMP.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE on February 20, 2024 was $40.23 per share. As of February 20, 2024, there were 497 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends are declared and paid on the common stock at the discretion of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and depend on our profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board. Our Credit Agreement permits dividends and distributions by us provided specific conditions are met. For information related to our Credit Agreement, see Note 11, “Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.
There have been no unregistered offerings of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2023.
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Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the five year cumulative total return on the Company’s Common Stock to the total returns on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the S&P 1500 Auto Parts & Equipment Index, which is a combination of automotive parts and equipment companies within the S&P 400, the S&P 500 and the S&P 600. The graph shows the change in value of a $100 investment in the Company’s Common Stock and each of the above indices on December 31, 2018 and the reinvestment of all dividends. The comparisons in this table are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of the Company’s Common Stock or the referenced indices.
SMP
S&P 500
S&P 1500 Auto
Parts &
Equipment
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* Source: S&P Capital IQ
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6.
(RESERVED)

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview of Financial Performance
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and the financial condition of our business during each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023.
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales
$
1,358,272
$
1,371,815
$
1,298,816
Gross profit
388,826
382,539
376,931
Gross profit %
28.6
%
27.9
%
%
Operating income
92,677
104,135
128,999
Operating income %
6.8
%
7.6
%
9.9
%
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
81,716
98,332
130,465
Provision for income taxes
18,368
25,206
31,044
Earnings from continuing operations
63,348
73,126
99,421
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
(28,996
)
(17,691
)
(8,467
)
Net earnings
34,352
55,435
90,954
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net earnings attributable to SMP
34,148
55,351
90,886
Per share data attributable to SMP - Diluted:
Earnings from continuing operations
$
2.85
$
3.30
$
4.39
Discontinued operations
(1.31
)
(0.80
)
(0.37
)
Net earnings per common share
$
1.54
$
2.50
$
4.02
Consolidated net sales for 2023 were $1,358.3 million, a decrease of $13.5 million, or 1% compared to net sales of $1,371.8 million in 2022; while consolidated net sales for 2022 increased $73 million, or 5.6%, compared to net sales of $1,298.8 million in 2021. Consolidated net sales decreased in our Vehicle Control and Temperature Control operating segments, while net sales in our Engineered Solutions operating segment increased when compared to the comparable period in the prior year.
Our net sales performance in 2023 reflects the impact of multiple factors including:
•
lower sales in our Vehicle Control operating segment reflecting the impact of lower sales to a customer that filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter, as well as the negative impact of lower customer pipeline orders and softer fourth quarter sales,
•
lower sales in our Temperature Control operating segment reflecting the impact of a slow start to the season caused by a rainy spring and cool early summer temperatures across key markets. Although customer demand and net sales increased significantly in the third quarter of 2023 as summer temperatures increased, the strong third quarter 2023 net sales were not enough to offset the slow start to the season, and
•
strong demand and new business wins in our Engineered Solutions operating segment with continued optimism about the long-term growth potential of the complementary markets served in this newly created segment.
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Gross margins as a percentage of net sales in 2023 was 28.6% as compared to 27.9% in 2022. The gross margin percentages in 2023 increased year-over-year in each of our Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions operating segments. Overall, the gross margin increase as a percentage of sales in 2023 reflects the positive impact of increased pricing, improved operating performance, and the favorable customer sales mix in Engineered Solutions, which more than offset ongoing inflationary increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation costs, as well as the lower fixed cost absorption due to lower production levels than those achieved in 2022 as we worked down inventory levels, and the weakening of the U.S. dollar on our international operations. While we anticipate continued margin pressure resulting from inflationary headwinds, we believe that our annual cost savings initiatives coupled with our ability to pass through higher prices to our customers should help to offset much of this impact to our gross margins.
Operating margin as a percentage of net sales in 2023 was 6.8% as compared to 7.6% in 2022. Included in our operating margin were selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) of $293.6 million, or 21.6% of net sales in 2023, $276.6 million, or 20.2% of net sales in 2022, and $247.5 million, or 19.1% of net sales in 2021. The higher SG&A expenses in 2023 is principally due to the impact of (1) higher interest rate related costs of $14 million incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements and (2) higher distribution costs, all of which more than offset the positive 2023 comparative impact of the $7 million charge recorded in 2022 to reduce our outstanding accounts receivable balance from a customer that filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2023 to our estimated recoverable amount. Excluding the impact of the incremental interest rate costs incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, SG&A expenses in the year ended December 31, 2023 were 20.6% of consolidated net sales, just slightly higher than the percentage in the comparable prior year period.
Overall, our core automotive aftermarket business remains strong, and we continue to be optimistic about the long-term growth potential of the complementary markets served in our Engineered Solutions operating segment.
New Distribution Facility in Shawnee, Kansas
In May 2023, we signed a lease for a new distribution facility in Shawnee, Kansas with a lease commencement date of July 1, 2023. The new facility will expand our total distribution network square footage to meet our growing demands in the automotive aftermarket industry. The new 575,000 square foot facility will replace our current 363,000 square foot facility in Edwardsville, Kansas, and integrate state-of-the-art technologies to deliver improved logistics capabilities, operational efficiencies, as well as enhanced employee, customer and supplier experiences. The new facility is located just five miles away from our Edwardsville facility, enabling us to retain our existing workforce avoiding the additional costs of hiring and training. The facility will have a phased opening beginning in 2024 and be fully operational in early 2025. We will incur additional costs in 2023 and 2024 during the phase-in period while we operate the two facilities.
Impact of Russia’s Invasion of the Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, and the resultant sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other governments, have created risks, uncertainties and disruptions impacting business continuity, liquidity and asset values not only in the Ukraine and Russia, but in markets worldwide. Significant price increases have occurred in gas and energy markets, as well as in other commodities. Although we have no facilities or business operations in either the Ukraine or Russia, have historically had only minor sales to customers in Russia, which we have subsequently discontinued, and have not experienced additional significant disruptions in the supply chain, the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding the invasion are being closely monitored. We have manufacturing and distribution facilities in Bialystok, Poland and Pecel, Hungary. Our facility in Bialystok, Poland does not use natural gas in its production process, or for heating, and, as such, is not impacted by Russia’s decision to halt the export of all natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria. While we have not been impacted by the war to date, there can be no assurances that any escalation of the invasion will not have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Impact of Global Supply Chain Disruption and Inflation
Disruptions in the global economy have impeded global supply chains, resulted in longer lead times and delays in procuring component parts and raw materials, and resulted in inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation. In response to the global supply chain volatility and inflationary cost increases, we have taken, and continue to take, several actions to mitigate the impact by working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts on our business, including implementing cost savings initiatives and the pass through of higher costs to our customers in the form of price increases, and maintaining inventory at levels to minimize potential disruptions from out-of-stock raw materials and components to ensure higher fill rates with our customers. We believe that we have also benefited from our geographically diversified manufacturing footprint and our strategy to bring more product manufacturing in-house, especially with respect to product availability and fill rates. We expect these inflationary trends to continue for some time, and while we believe that we will be able to somewhat offset the impact, there can be no assurances that unforeseen future events in the global supply chain affecting the availability of materials and components, and/or increasing commodity pricing, will not have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Comparison of Results of Operations For Fiscal Years 2023 and 2022
Sales. Consolidated net sales for 2023 were $1,358.3 million, a decrease of $13.5 million, or 1%, compared to $1,371.8 million in the same period of 2022, with the majority of our net sales to customers located in the United States. Consolidated net sales decreased in our Vehicle Control and Temperature Control operating segments, while net sales in our Engineered Solutions operating segment increased when compared to the comparable period in the prior year.
The following table summarizes consolidated net sales by segment and by major product group within each segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Vehicle Control
Engine Management (Ignition, Emissions and Fuel Delivery)
$
450,180
$
454,571
Electrical and Safety
221,782
230,487
Wire Sets and Other
65,970
65,513
Total Vehicle Control
737,932
750,571
Temperature Control
AC System Components
237,756
245,484
Other Thermal Components
99,998
105,753
Total Temperature Control
337,754
351,237
Engineered Solutions
Commercial Vehicle
83,025
80,275
Construction/Agriculture
43,402
42,385
Light Vehicle
92,759
91,533
All Other
63,400
55,814
Total Engineered Solutions
282,586
270,007
Other
-
-
Total
$
1,358,272
$
1,371,815
Vehicle Control’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $12.7 million, or 1.7%, to $737.9 million compared to $750.6 million in the same period of 2022. The decrease in net sales in our Vehicle Control operating segment reflects the impact of lower sales to a customer that filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2023, as well as the negative impact of lower customer pipeline orders in 2023 and softer fourth quarter sales.
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Temperature Control’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $13.4 million, or 3.8%, to $337.8 million compared to $351.2 million in the same period of 2022. The lower year-over-year Temperature Control net sales reflects the impact of a slow start to the season caused by a rainy spring and cool early summer temperatures across key markets which negatively impacted first and second quarter 2023 net sales. After the slow start to the season, demand increased significantly in the third quarter of 2023 as summer temperatures increased. The result was strong third quarter 2023 net sales, which was not enough to offset the slow start to the season. Demand for our Temperature Control products may vary significantly with summer weather conditions and customer inventory levels.
Engineered Solutions’ net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $12.6 million, or 4.7%, to $282.6 million compared to $270 million in the same period of 2022. Overall, net sales in our Engineered Solutions operating segment showed year-over-year improvement driven by strong demand and new business wins, and we continue to be optimistic about the long-term growth potential of the complementary markets served in our newly created Engineered Solutions operating segment.
Gross Margins. Gross margins, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, increased to 28.6% for 2023, compared to 27.9% for 2022. The following table summarizes gross margins by segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
Engineered
Solutions
Other
Total
Net sales
$
737,932
$
337,754
$
282,586
$
-
$
1,358,272
Gross margins
238,215
95,827
54,784
-
388,826
Gross margin percentage
32.3
%
28.4
%
19.4
%
-
28.6
%
Net sales
$
750,571
$
351,237
$
270,007
$
-
$
1,371,815
Gross margins
232,267
98,913
51,359
-
382,539
Gross margin percentage
30.9
%
28.2
%
%
-
27.9
%
Compared to 2022, gross margins at Vehicle Control increased 1.4 percentage points from 30.9% to 32.3%. Gross margins at Temperature Control increased 0.2 percentage points from 28.2% to 28.4%, and gross margins at Engineered Solutions increased 0.4 percentage points from 19% to 19.4%.
The gross margin percentage increase in our Vehicle Control operating segment reflects the positive impact of increased pricing and operating performance, which more than offset increases in material and labor costs, as well as the lower fixed cost absorption due to lower production levels than those achieved in the same period in 2022. The gross margin percentage increase in our Temperature Control operating segment reflects the impact increased pricing and operating performance; while the gross margin percentage increase at our Engineered Solutions operating segment is driven primarily by favorable customer sales mix and increased pricing. All of our operating segments were negatively impacted by the ongoing inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation expenses. While we anticipate continued margin pressure resulting from inflationary headwinds, we believe that our annual cost savings initiatives coupled with our ability to pass through higher prices to our customers should help to offset much of this impact to our gross margins.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased to $293.6 million, or 21.6% of consolidated net sales in 2023, as compared to $276.6 million, or 20.2% of consolidated net sales in 2022. The $17 million increase in SG&A expenses as compared to 2022 is principally due to the impact of (1) higher interest related costs of $14 million incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements and (2) higher distribution cost, all of which more than offset the positive 2023 comparative impact of the $7 million charge recorded in 2022 to reduce our outstanding accounts receivable balance from one of our customers that filed a petition for bankruptcy in January 2023 to our estimated recovery amount. Excluding the impact of the incremental interest rate costs incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, SG&A expenses in 2023 were 20.6% of consolidated net sales, slightly higher than the percentage in the comparable prior year period.
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Restructuring and Integration Expenses. Restructuring and integration expenses were $2.6 million in 2023 compared to restructuring and integration expenses of $1.9 million in 2022. Restructuring and integration expenses in 2023 consists of (1) the $2.5 million of costs incurred in our 2022 cost reduction initiative, and (2) the $0.1 million increase in environmental cleanup costs for ongoing remediation in connection with the prior closure of our manufacturing operations at our Long Island City, New York location; while 2022 expenses consists of (1) costs of $1.5 million incurred in our 2022 cost reduction initiative, (2) relocation expenses of $0.2 million of certain inventory, machinery, and equipment acquired in our 2021 soot sensor acquisition to our facilities in Independence, Kansas and Bialystok, Poland, and (3) the $0.2 million increase in environmental cleanup costs for ongoing remediation in connection with the prior closure of our manufacturing operations at our Long Island City, New York location.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, to further our ongoing efforts to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs, we announced plans for a reduction in our sales force, and initiated plans to relocate certain product lines from our Independence, Kansas manufacturing facility and from our St. Thomas, Canada manufacturing facility to our manufacturing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico. Total restructuring and integration expenses related to the initiative were $2.5 million and $1.5 million 2023 and 2022, respectively. Expenses related to the initiative for the year ended December 31, 2023 consist of (1) expenses of approximately $0.7 million related to a further sales force reduction, (2) expenses of $1.3 million of employee severance and bonuses related to our product line relocations, and (3) expenses of $0.5 million related to the relocation of machinery and equipment to our manufacturing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico. Expenses related to the initiative for the year ended December 31, 2022 consist of (1) expenses of $0.9 million related to our sales force reduction, and (2) expenses of $0.6 million consisting of employee severance related to our product line relocations. Additional restructuring costs related to the initiative, and expected to be incurred, are approximately $0.5 million. We anticipate that the Cost Reduction Initiative will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Operating Income. Operating income was $92.7 million, or 6.8%, of consolidated net sales in 2023, compared to $104.1 million, or 7.6%, of consolidated net sales in 2022. The year-over-year decrease in operating income of $11.4 million is the result of lower net sales, higher SG&A expenses, consisting primarily of higher interest rate related costs of $14 million incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, and higher restructuring and integration expenses offset, in part, by higher gross margins as a percentage of sales.
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net. Other non-operating income, net was $2.3 million in 2023, compared to $4.8 million in 2022. The year-over-year decrease in other non-operating income, net results from the decrease in year-over-year equity income from our joint ventures, and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The decline in equity income from our joint ventures is due, in part, to lower production levels related to inventory reduction plans, and the impact of our acquisition of an additional 15% equity interest in Gwo Yng. Commencing in July 2023, on the date of our 15% increase in equity interest, the financial results of Gwo Yng were no longer accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Instead, Gwo Yng’s financial results were reported on a consolidated basis, resulting in lower joint venture equity income.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $13.3 million in 2023, compared to $10.6 million in 2022. The year-over-year increase in interest expense reflects the impact of higher year-over-year average interest rates on our credit facilities when compared to 2022, which more than offset the impact of lower average outstanding balances.
Income Tax Provision. The income tax provision for 2023 was $18.4 million at an effective tax rate of 22.5%, compared to $25.2 million at an effective tax rate of 25.6% in 2022. The lower effective tax rate in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects the impact of lower state and local income taxes due to changes in state laws, rates and filing methodologies, changes in foreign and domestic mix, and the effective rate impact of lower year-over-year pre-tax income.
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Loss From Discontinued Operations. Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax, reflects information contained in the actuarial studies performed as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as other information available and considered by us, and legal expenses and other costs associated with our asbestos-related liability. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded a net loss of $29 million and $17.7 million from discontinued operations, respectively. The loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 includes (1) a $23.8 million and $18.5 million pre-tax provision, respectively, to increase our indemnity liability in line with the 2023 and 2022 actuarial studies; (2) legal and other miscellaneous expenses, before taxes, of $4.9 million and $5.4 million for 2023 and 2022, respectively, and (3) a $10.5 million pre-tax provision in 2023 related to a breach of contract legal proceeding. As discussed more fully in Note 23 “Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report, we are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos containing products.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest relates to the minority shareholders’ interest in our 70% owned joint venture in Hong Kong, with operations in Shanghai and Wuxi, China (“Trombetta Asia, Ltd.”) and, in our 80% ownership in Gwo Yng, commencing in July 2023 upon the completion of our step acquisition. Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest were $204,000 and $84,000 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For additional information on the Gwo Yng step acquisition, see Note 2, “Business Acquisitions and Investments,” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
Comparison of Results of Operations For Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021
Sales. Consolidated net sales for 2022 were $1,371.8 million, an increase of $73 million, or 5.6%, compared to $1,298.8 million in the same period of 2022, with the majority of our net sales to customers located in the United States. Consolidated net sales increased across all of our operating segments, when compared to the comparable period in the prior year.
The following table summarizes consolidated net sales by segment and by major product group within each segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Vehicle Control
Engine Management (Ignition, Emissions and Fuel Delivery)
$
454,571
$
444,196
Electrical and Safety
230,487
224,520
Wire Sets and Other
65,513
68,715
Total Vehicle Control
750,571
737,431
Temperature Control
AC System Components
245,484
231,466
Other Thermal Components
105,753
92,614
Total Temperature Control
351,237
324,080
Engineered Solutions
Commercial Vehicle
80,275
76,066
Construction/Agriculture
42,385
33,220
Light Vehicle
91,533
86,440
All Other
55,814
41,579
Total Engineered Solutions
270,007
237,305
Other
-
-
Total
$
1,371,815
$
1,298,816
Vehicle Control’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $13.2 million, or 1.8%, to $750.6 million compared to $737.4 million in the same period of 2021. The increase in net sales in our Vehicle Control operating segment reflects the impact of strong customer demand and price increases implemented in 2022, which were implemented to pass through inflationary increases in raw materials, distribution and labor costs.
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Temperature Control’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $27.1 million, or 8.4%, to $351.2 million compared to $324.1 million in the same period of 2021. The increase in net sales in our Temperature Control segment reflects the impact of continued strong customer demand, with the elevated demand we saw in 2021 holding firm, fueled by record heat across the country in 2022 and the replenishment of customer inventory levels after very warm summer conditions in 2021, and the impact of price increases, which were implemented to pass through inflationary increases in raw materials, distribution and labor costs. Demand for our Temperature Control products may vary significantly with summer weather conditions and customer inventory levels.
Engineered Solutions’ net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $32.7 million, or 13.8%, to $270 million compared to $237.3 million in the same period of 2021. The increase in net sales in our Engineered Solutions operating segment reflects the impact of the positive contribution of incremental sales from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions of $44.6 million. Compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, excluding the incremental net sales from the acquisitions, Engineered Solutions net sales decreased $11.9 million, or 5%.
Gross Margins. Gross margins, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased to 27.9% for 2022, compared to 29% for 2021. The following table summarizes gross margins by segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
Engineered
Solutions
Other
Total
Net sales
$
750,571
$
351,237
$
270,007
$
-
$
1,371,815
Gross margins
232,267
98,913
51,359
-
382,539
Gross margin percentage
30.9
%
28.2
%
%
-
27.9
%
Net sales
$
737,431
$
324,080
$
237,305
$
-
$
1,298,816
Gross margins
238,790
91,738
46,403
-
376,931
Gross margin percentage
32.4
%
28.3
%
19.6
%
-
%
Compared to 2021, gross margins at Vehicle Control decreased 1.5 percentage points from 32.4% to 30.9%, gross margins at Temperature Control decreased 0.1 percentage points from 28.3% to 28.2%, and gross margins at Engineered Solutions decreased 1.6 percentage points from 19.6% to 19%.
The gross margin percentage decrease in Vehicle Control compared to the prior year reflects the impact of lower fixed cost absorption due to lower and more normalized production, inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation, which were somewhat offset by increased pricing, and higher freight and related expenses resulting from higher inventory levels. The slight gross margin percentage decrease in Temperature Control compared to the prior year reflects the impact of inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation, and higher freight and related expenses resulting from higher inventory levels, which were offset by seasonal volume, customer mix and increased pricing. The gross margin percentage decrease in Engineered Solutions compared to the prior year reflects the impact of inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation. While we anticipate continued margin pressures across all of our segments resulting from inflationary cost increases, we believe that our annual cost initiatives, and our ability to pass through higher prices to our customers, will help to offset the impact of the inflationary increases on our margins.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased to $276.6 million, or 20.2% of consolidated net sales in 2022, as compared to $247.5 million, or 19.1% of consolidated net sales in 2021. The $29.1 million increase in SG&A expenses as compared to 2021 is principally due to the impact of (1) higher interest related costs of $20.6 million incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, (2) the impact of the $7 million charge recorded in 2022 to reduce our outstanding accounts receivable balance from one of our customers that filed a petition for bankruptcy in January 2023 to our estimated recovery amount, (3) incremental expenses of $7.2 million from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions, including amortization of intangible assets acquired, and (4) inflationary cost increases resulting in higher distribution and freight costs. SG&A expenses in 2022 were favorably impacted by the higher mix of non-aftermarket parts sales from recent acquisitions, which have a different profile than our aftermarket business with lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales.
Index
Restructuring and Integration Expenses. Restructuring and integration expenses were $1.9 million in 2022 compared to restructuring and integration expenses of $0.4 million in 2021. Restructuring and integration expenses incurred in 2022 of $1.9 million related to (1) severance costs of $0.9 million in connection with a reduction in our sales force, (2) expenses of $0.6 million consisting of employee severance costs related to our product line relocations from our Independence, Kansas manufacturing facility and from our St. Thomas, Canada manufacturing facility to our manufacturing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico, (3) relocation expenses of $0.2 million of certain inventory, machinery, and equipment acquired in our 2021 soot sensor acquisition to our facilities in Independence, Kansas and Bialystok, Poland, and (4) the $0.2 million increase in environmental cleanup costs for ongoing monitoring and remediation in connection with the prior closure of our manufacturing operations at our Long Island City, New York location.
Restructuring and integration expenses incurred in 2021 of $0.4 million related to the relocation of certain inventory, machinery, and equipment acquired in our 2021 soot sensor acquisition to our facilities in Independence, Kansas and Bialystok, Poland. The soot sensor product line relocation has been completed.
Operating Income. Operating income was $104.1 million, or 7.6%, of consolidated net sales in 2022, compared to $129 million, or 9.9%, of consolidated net sales in 2021. The year-over-year decrease in operating income of $24.9 million is the result of higher SG&A expenses driven primarily by the increased interest rate costs incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, and to a lesser extent by the impact of lower gross margins as a percentage of consolidated net sales and higher restructuring and integration costs offset, in part, by higher consolidated net sales.
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net. Other non-operating income, net was $4.8 million in 2022, compared to $3.5 million in 2021. The year-over-year increase in other non-operating income, net results primarily from the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and to a lesser extent the increase in year-over-year equity income from our joint ventures.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $10.6 million in 2022, compared to $2 million in 2021. The year-over-year increase in interest expense reflects the impact of higher average outstanding borrowings in 2022 when compared to 2021, and the impact of higher year-over-year average interest rates on our credit facilities.
Income Tax Provision. The income tax provision for 2022 was $25.2 million at an effective tax rate of 25.6%, compared to $31 million at an effective tax rate of 23.8% in 2021. The higher effective tax rate in 2022 compared to 2021 results primarily from the income tax provision impact related to the exercise of restricted stock.
Loss From Discontinued Operations. Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax, reflects information contained in the actuarial studies performed as of August 31, 2022 and 2021, as well as other information available and considered by us, and legal expenses and other costs associated with our asbestos-related liability. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recorded a net loss of $17.7 million and $8.5 million from discontinued operations, respectively. The loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 includes an $18.5 million and $5.3 million pre-tax provision, respectively, to increase our indemnity liability in line with the 2022 and 2021 actuarial studies; and legal expenses and other miscellaneous expenses, before taxes, of $5.4 million and $6.1 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively. As discussed more fully in Note 23 “Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report, we are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos containing products.
Index
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest. In May 2021, we acquired the Trombetta business for $111.7 million. As part of the acquisition, we acquired a 70% ownership in a joint venture in Hong Kong, with operations in Shanghai and Wuxi, China (“Trombetta Asia, Ltd.”). Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $84,000 and $68,000 during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, represents 30% of the net earnings of Trombetta Asia, Ltd.
Restructuring and Integration Programs
For a detailed discussion on the restructuring and integration costs, see Note 3, “Restructuring and Integration Expense,” of the Notes Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, regular quarterly dividends, stock repurchases, principal and interest payments on indebtedness and acquisitions. The following table summarizes our primary sources of funds including ongoing net cash flows from operating activities and availability under our Credit Agreement.
December 31,
(In thousands)
Operating cash flows
$
144,260
$
(27,533
)
Total debt
$
156,211
$
239,620
Cash and cash equivalents
32,526
21,150
Net debt
$
123,685
$
218,470
Remaining borrowing capacity
$
334,180
$
255,631
Total liquidity
366,706
276,781
Operating Activities. During 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $144.3 million compared to cash used in operating activities of $27.5 million in 2022. The increase in cash provided by operating activities resulted primarily from the larger year-over-year decrease in accounts receivable, the decrease in inventories compared to an increase in inventories in the prior year, the increase in accounts payable compared to a decrease in accounts payable in the prior year, no change in prepaid expenses and other current assets compared to an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the prior year, and the smaller year-over-year decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses offset, in part, by the decrease in net earnings.
Net earnings during 2023 were $34.4 million compared to $55.4 million in 2022. During 2023, (1) the decrease in accounts receivable was $8 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in accounts receivable of $6.9 million in 2022; (2) the decrease in inventories was $29.5 million compared to the year-over-year increase in inventories of $67.5 million in 2022; (3) the increase in accounts payable was $19.6 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in accounts payable of $48.6 million in 2022; (4) there was no change in prepaid expenses and other current assets compared to the year-over-year increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $5.5 million in 2022; and (5) the decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses was $4.3 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses of $29.1 million in 2022. During 2023, we generated operating cash flow of $144.3 million by reducing our inventory to more normalized levels while actively managing our accounts receivable and accounts payable. We will continue to manage our working capital to maximize our operating cash flow. Now that global supply chains have stabilized, allowing us to lower working capital in 2023, we expect cash flows from operations will return to historical levels in 2024.
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities was $25.7 million in 2023 compared to $27.8 million in 2022. Investing activities during 2023 consisted of (1) the payment of $4 million for our acquisition of an additional 15% equity interest in Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co., Ltd. (“Gwo Yng”) and (2) capital expenditures of $28.6 million offset, in part, by cash acquired of $6.8 million in the Gwo Yng step acquisition.
Index
Investing activities during 2022 consisted of (1) the cash payment of $1.7 million for our acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of Kade Trading GmbH, a German company, (“Kade”) , net of $1 million of cash acquired and the $0.5 million earn-out; (2) the payment of $0.2 million for our 3.55% increase in equity ownership in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., (“CYJ”), a China-based joint venture that manufactures automotive electric air conditioning compressors; and (3) capital expenditures of $26 million.
Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities was $109.6 million in 2023 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $55.5 million in 2022. During 2023, we (1) reduced our borrowings under our Credit Agreement by $83.5 million; and (2) paid dividends of $25.2 million and $0.7 million to shareholders of our noncontrolling interests, respectively. Cash provided by our operating activities was used to reduce our borrowings under our Credit Agreement, fund our investing activities and pay dividends.
In June 2022, we entered into a new credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent. The new credit agreement provides for a $500 million credit facility comprised of a $100 million term loan facility and a $400 million revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the new credit facility were used to repay all outstanding borrowings under the then existing revolving credit facility, and certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the refinancing.
Cash provided by financing activities was $55.5 million in 2022. During 2022, we (1) increased our borrowings under our revolving credit facilities by $114.2 million; (2) reduced our borrowings under lease obligations and our Polish overdraft facility by $2.9 million; (3) made cash payments of $2.1 million for debt issuance costs in connection with our refinancing; (4) made cash payments for the repurchase of shares of our common stock of $29.7 million; and (5) paid dividends of $23.4 million. Cash provided by borrowings under our credit facilities were used to fund our operating activities, investing activities, reduce our borrowings under lease obligations and our Polish overdraft facility, pay debt issuance costs in connection with the refinancing, purchase shares of our common stock and pay dividends.
Dividends of $25.2 million and $23.4 million were paid in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Quarterly dividends were paid at a rate of $0.29 in 2023 and $0.27 in 2022.
Comparison of Liquidity and Capital Resources For Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021
For a detailed discussion of our Liquidity and Capital Resources comparison of fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2021, see Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Liquidity
Our primary sources of funds are ongoing net cash flows from operating activities and availability under our Credit Agreement (as detailed below).
In June 2022, we entered into a new Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a $500 million credit facility comprised of a $100 million term loan facility (the “term loan”) and a $400 million multi-currency revolving credit facility available in U.S. Dollars, Euros, Sterling, Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars and other currencies as agreed to by the administrative agent and the lenders (the “revolving facility”). The Credit Agreement replaces and refinances the existing Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2015, among the Company, SMP Motor Products Ltd. and Trumpet Holdings, Inc., as borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and the other lenders named therein (the “2015 Credit Agreement”).
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement were used to repay all outstanding borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement, and pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement, with future borrowings used for other general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. The term loan amortizes in quarterly installments of 1.25% in each of the first four years, and quarterly installments of 2.5% in the fifth year of the Credit Agreement. The revolving facility has a $25 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $25 million sub-limit for the borrowing of swingline loans. The maturity date is June 1, 2027. The Company may request up to two one-year extensions of the maturity date.
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The Company may, upon the agreement of one or more of then existing lenders or of additional financial institutions not currently party to the Credit Agreement, increase the revolving facility commitments or obtain incremental term loans by an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) the greater of (i) $168 million or (ii) 100% of consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the four fiscal quarters ended most recently before such date, plus (y) the amount of any voluntary prepayment of term loans, plus (z) an unlimited amount so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto, the pro forma First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) does not exceed 2.5 to 1.0.
Term loan and revolver facility borrowings in U.S. Dollars bear interest, at the Company’s election, at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR plus 0.10% plus an applicable margin, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin, where the alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and one-month Term SOFR plus 0.10% plus 1.00%. Term loan borrowings are being made at one-month Term SOFR. The applicable margin for the term benchmark borrowings ranges from 1.0% to 2.0%, and the applicable margin for alternate base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 1.0%, in each case, based on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The Company may select interest periods of one, three or six months for Term SOFR borrowings. Interest is payable at the end of the selected interest period, but no less frequently than quarterly.
The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by its material domestic subsidiaries (each, a “Guarantor”), and secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the existing and future personal property of the Company and each Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions. The collateral security described above also secures certain banking services obligations and interest rate swaps and currency or other hedging obligations of the Company owing to any of the then existing lenders or any affiliates thereof. Concurrently with the Company’s entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company also entered into a seven year interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Co-Syndication Agent and lender under the Credit Agreement, on $100 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate swap agreement matures in May 2029.
Outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2023 under the Credit Agreement were $156 million, consisting of current borrowings of $5 million and long-term debt of $151 million; while outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2022 were $239.5 million, consisting of current borrowings of $55 million and long-term debt of $184.5 million. Letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement were $2.3 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
At December 31, 2023, the weighted average interest rate under our Credit Agreement was 5%, which consisted of $156 million in borrowings at 5% under Term SOFR, adjusted for the impact of the interest rate swap agreement on $100 million of borrowings. At December 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate under our Credit Agreement was 5.2%, which consisted of $237 million in borrowings at 5.2% under Term SOFR, adjusted for the impact of the interest rate swap agreement on $100 million of borrowings, and an alternative base rate borrowing of $2.5 million at 8%. During the year ended December 31, 2023, our average daily alternative base rate loan balance was $0.1 million, compared to a balance of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of liens, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests, acquisitions, investments, loans and guarantees, subject, in each case, to customary exceptions, thresholds and baskets. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default.
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In November 2023, our Polish subsidiary, SMP Poland sp. z.o.o., further amended its overdraft facility with HSBC Continental Europe (Spolka Akcyjna) Oddzial w Polsce. The overdraft facility, as amended, provides for borrowings under the facility in Euros and U.S. Dollars. Under the amended terms, the overdraft facility provides for borrowings of up to Zloty 30 million (approximately $7.6 million) if borrowings are solely in Zloty, or up to 85% of the Zloty 30 million limit (approximately $6.5 million) if borrowings are in Euros and/or U.S. Dollars. The overdraft facility has a maturity date in March 2024, with automatic three-month renewals until June 2027, subject to cancellation by either party, at its sole discretion, at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the three-month renewal period. Borrowings under the amended overdraft facility will bear interest at a rate equal to (1) the one month Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate (“WIBOR”) + 1.0% for borrowings in Polish Zloty, (2) the one month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) + 1.0% for borrowings in Euros, and (3) the Mid-Point of the Fed Target Range + 1.25% for borrowings in U.S Dollars. Borrowings under the overdraft facility are guaranteed by Standard Motor Products, Inc., the ultimate parent company. There were no borrowings outstanding under the overdraft facility at both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
In order to reduce our accounts receivable balances and improve our cash flow, we are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions. We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt. Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale. As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.
Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $830.8 million and $813.7 million of receivables for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Receivables presented at financial institutions and not yet collected as of December 31, 2023 were $4.5 million and remained in our receivable balance as of that date. There were no receivables presented at financial institutions and not yet collected as of December 31, 2022. All receivables sold were reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale. A charge in the amount of $46 million, $32 million and $11.5 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
To the extent that these arrangements are terminated, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected by extended payment terms, delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables. The utility of the supply chain financing arrangements also depends upon a benchmark reference rate for the purpose of determining the discount rate applicable to each arrangement. If the benchmark reference rate increases significantly, we may be negatively impacted as we may not be able to pass these added costs on to our customers, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2023, one of our customers filed a petition for bankruptcy. In connection with the bankruptcy filing, we evaluated our potential risk and exposure as related to our outstanding accounts receivable balance from the customer as of December 31, 2022, and estimated our anticipated recovery. As a result of our evaluation, we recorded a $7 million pre-tax charge during the year ended December 31, 2022 to reduce our accounts receivable balance to our estimated recovery. The $7 million pre-tax charge was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. The bankruptcy court proceedings have continued into 2023. Although the courts have named us a “critical supplier,” the funds allocated to us have not yet been determined and, as such, we have not recorded an adjustment to the $7 million pre-tax charge previously recorded.
In March 2020, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $20 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program during the year ended December 31, 2021 were 150,273 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $6.5 million thereby completing the 2020 Board of Directors authorization.
In February 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $20 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program during the year ended December 31, 2021 were 464,992 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $20 million, thereby completing the February 2021 Board of Directors authorization.
In October 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $30 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program, during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 were 7,000 and 692,067 shares of our common stock, respectively, at a total cost of $0.3 million and $29.7 million, respectively, thereby completing the October 2021 Board of Directors authorization.
Index
In July 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $30 million of our common stock under a new stock repurchase program. Stock will be purchased under the program from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant. To date, there have been no repurchases of our common stock under the program.
Material Cash Commitments
Material cash commitments as of December 31, 2023 consist of required cash payments to service our outstanding borrowings of $156 million under our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent and the future minimum cash requirements of $131.7 million through 2034 under operating leases. All of our other cash commitments as of December 31, 2023 are not material. For additional information related to our material cash commitments, see Note 7, “Leases,” and Note 11, “Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.
We anticipate that our cash flow from operations, available cash, and available borrowings under our Credit Agreement will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among other things, that we will be able to mitigate the future impact, if any, of disruptions in the supply chain caused by geo-political risks, future increases in interest rates, and significant inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation that we are unable to pass through our customers, macroeconomic uncertainty, and that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements. If material adverse developments were to occur in any of these areas, there can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our Credit Agreement in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs. In addition, if we default on any of our indebtedness, or breach any financial covenant in our Credit Agreement, our business could be adversely affected.
For further information regarding the risks in our business, refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this Report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have identified the two accounting policies and estimates below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies and estimates on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies and estimates affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.
You should be aware that preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We can give no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates. Although we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates, or in the assumptions that we use in calculating the estimates, the uncertain future effects, if any, of the disruptions in the supply chain caused by geo-political risks, future increases in interest rates, inflation, macroeconomic uncertainty, and other unforeseen changes in the industry, or business, could materially impact the estimates, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill
At acquisition, we estimate and record the fair value of purchased intangible assets, which primarily consist of customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, patents, developed technology and intellectual property, and non-compete agreements. Intangible assets acquired through business combinations are subject to potential adjustments within the measurement period, which is up to one year from the acquisition date. Valuing intangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions. As related to valuing customer relationships, significant estimates and assumptions used include but are not limited to: (1) forecasted revenues attributable to existing customers; (2) forecasted earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) margins; (3) customer attrition rates; and (4) the discount rate. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not amortized to earnings, but instead are subject to periodic testing for impairment. Intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over their remaining useful lives. We believe that the fair value of acquired identifiable net assets, including intangible assets, are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions.
Index
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets, identifiable intangibles assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. With respect to goodwill and identifiable intangible assets having indefinite lives, we test for impairment on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate the fair value is below its carrying amount. Factors we consider important, which could trigger an impairment review, include the following: (a) significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and (c) significant negative industry or economic trends. We review the fair values using the discounted cash flows method and market multiples.
When performing our evaluation of goodwill for impairment, if we conclude qualitatively that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative impairment test would not be required. If we are unable to reach this conclusion, then we would perform a goodwill quantitative impairment test. In performing the quantitative test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount. A charge for impairment is recognized by the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
Identifiable intangible assets having indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis using a methodology similar with that used to evaluate goodwill. Intangible assets having definite lives and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events such as product discontinuance, plant closures, product dispositions or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, we compare the carrying value of such assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the assets fair value and their carrying value.
There are inherent assumptions and estimates used in developing future cash flows requiring our judgment in applying these assumptions and estimates to the analysis of identifiable intangibles and long-lived asset impairment including projecting revenues, interest rates, tax rates and the cost of capital. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods. These changes can result in future impairments. In the event our planning assumptions were modified resulting in impairment to our assets, we would be required to include an expense in our statement of operations, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Asbestos Litigation
In evaluating our potential asbestos-related liability, we have considered various factors including, among other things, an actuarial study of the asbestos related liabilities performed by an independent actuarial firm, our settlement amounts and whether there are any co-defendants, the jurisdiction in which lawsuits are filed, and the status and results of such claims. As is our accounting policy, we consider the advice of actuarial consultants with experience in assessing asbestos-related liabilities to estimate our potential claim liability; and perform an actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. The methodology used to project asbestos-related liabilities and costs in our actuarial study considered: (1) historical data available from publicly available studies; (2) an analysis of our recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates into the future; (3) an analysis of our currently pending claims; (4) an analysis of our settlements and awards of asbestos-related damages to date; and (5) an analysis of closed claims with pay ratios and lag patterns in order to develop average future settlement values. Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we have concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages was more likely than any other and, therefore, in assessing our asbestos liability we compare the low end of the range to our recorded liability to determine if an adjustment is required. Future legal costs are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations.
Index
We plan to perform an annual actuarial evaluation during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. Given the uncertainties associated with projecting such matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we can give no assurance that additional provisions will not be required. We will continue to monitor events and changes in circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether to perform additional actuarial evaluations and whether additional provisions may be necessary, which will reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations. At the present time, however, we do not believe that any additional provisions would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or consolidated financial position. See Note 23, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For a detailed discussion on recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign currency exchange and interest rates. These exposures are actively monitored by management. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is due to certain costs, revenues and borrowings being denominated in currencies other than one of our subsidiary’s functional currency. Similarly, we are exposed to market risk as the result of changes in interest rates, which may affect the cost of our financing. It is our policy and practice to use derivative financial instruments only to the extent necessary to manage exposures. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Exchange Rate Risk
We have exchange rate exposure, primarily, with respect to the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, the British Pound, the Polish Zloty, the Hungarian Forint, the Mexican Peso, the Taiwan Dollar, the Chinese Yuan Renminbi and the Hong Kong Dollar. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our monetary assets and liabilities which are subject to this exposure are immaterial, therefore, the potential immediate loss to us that would result from a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows. This sensitivity analysis assumes an unfavorable 10% fluctuation in the exchange rates affecting the foreign currencies in which monetary assets and liabilities are denominated and does not take into account the incremental effect of such a change on our foreign currency denominated revenues.
Interest Rate Risk
We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate debt and variable rate debt in our debt portfolio. To reduce our market risk for changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings, and to manage a portion of our exposure to changes in interest rates, we occasionally enter into interest rate swap agreements.
Index
In June 2022, we entered into a seven year interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $100 million that is to mature in May 2029. The interest rate swap agreement has been designated as a cash flow hedge of interest payments on $100 million of borrowings under our Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we will receive monthly variable interest payments based on one month Term SOFR and will pay interest based upon a fixed rate of 2.683% per annum, adjusted upward for the credit spread adjustment in the Credit Agreement of 0.10% and the loan margin in the Credit Agreement of 1.25% at December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $156 million of outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement, of which approximately $56 million bears interest at variable rates of interest and $100 million bears interest at fixed rates, after consideration of the interest rate swap agreement entered into in June 2022. Additionally, we invest our excess cash in highly liquid short-term investments. Based upon our current level of borrowings under our Credit Agreement and our excess cash, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the interest rate may have an approximate $0.2 million annualized negative impact on our earnings or cash flows.
In addition, we are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions. We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold $830.8 million of receivables. Depending upon the level of sales of receivables pursuant these agreements, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the margin rate may have an approximate $8.3 million negative impact on our earnings or cash flows. The charge related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Index

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page No.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
To the Stockholders of
Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Because of these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation, and may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
We assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment using those criteria, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has audited our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and has also audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. KPMG’s report appears on the following pages of this “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Standard Motor Products, Inc and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) 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 the 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.
/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
February 22, 2024
Index
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Asbestos liability and litigation
As discussed in Notes 1 and 23 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is involved in asbestos litigation and has a potential asbestos liability. As of December 31, 2023, the accrued asbestos liability was $82 million. The Company’s asbestos liability represents the low end of the actuarially determined range of the undiscounted liability for settlement payments and awards of asbestos related damages, excluding legal costs and any potential recovery from insurance carriers.
We identified the assessment of the asbestos liability recorded as a critical audit matter. This required subjective auditor judgment, due to the nature of the estimate and assumptions, including the applicability of those assumptions to the current facts and circumstances, as well as judgments about future events and uncertainties. Specialized skills were needed to evaluate the Company’s key assumptions. The key assumptions included future claim filings, closed with pay ratios, closed with pay lag patterns, settlement values, and large claims. Minor changes to these key assumptions could have had a significant effect on the Company’s assessment of the accrual for the asbestos liability.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the asbestos liability estimation process. This included controls related to the key assumptions and the claims data utilized in the process, and the potential need for an updated actuarial valuation. We evaluated the asbestos related legal cases settled during the year and the number of open cases as of year-end by reading letters received directly from the Company’s external and internal legal counsel. We tested a selection of claims data used in the actuarial model by comparing the selection items to underlying claims documentation. We involved an actuarial professional with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating (1) the future claim filings assumption by developing an independent expectation and comparing it against the Company’s future claim filing assumption, and (2) the closed with pay ratios, closed with pay lag patterns, settlement values, and large claims by comparing them to the Company’s historical experience.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
New York, New York
February 22, 2024
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands,
except share and per share data)
Net sales
$
1,358,272
$
1,371,815
$
1,298,816
Cost of sales
969,446
989,276
921,885
Gross profit
388,826
382,539
376,931
Selling, general and administrative expenses
293,583
276,626
247,547
Restructuring and integration expenses
2,642
1,891
Other income, net
Operating income
92,677
104,135
128,999
Other non-operating income, net
2,326
4,814
3,494
Interest expense
13,287
10,617
2,028
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
81,716
98,332
130,465
Provision for income taxes
18,368
25,206
31,044
Earnings from continuing operations
63,348
73,126
99,421
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $10,188, $6,216 and $2,975
(28,996
)
(17,691
)
(8,467
)
Net earnings
34,352
55,435
90,954
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net earnings attributable to SMP (a)
$ 34,148
$ 55,351
$ 90,886
Net earnings attributable to SMP
Earnings from continuing operations
$ 63,144
$ 73,042
$ 99,353
Discontinued operations
(28,996 )
(17,691 )
(8,467 )
Total
$ 34,148
$ 55,351
$ 90,886
Per share data attributable to SMP
Net earnings per common share - Basic:
Earnings from continuing operations
$
2.91
$
3.37
$
4.49
Discontinued operations
(1.34
)
(0.82
)
(0.39
)
Net earnings per common share - Basic
$
1.57
$
2.55
$
4.10
Net earnings per common share - Diluted:
Earnings from continuing operations
$
2.85
$
3.30
$
4.39
Discontinued operations
(1.31
)
(0.80
)
(0.37
)
Net earnings per common share - Diluted
$
1.54
$
2.50
$
4.02
Dividend declared per share
$
1.16
$
1.08
$
1.00
Average number of common shares
21,716,177
21,683,719
22,147,479
Average number of common shares and dilutive common shares
22,161,341
22,139,981
22,616,456
(a) Throughout this Form 10-K, “SMP” refers to Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Net earnings
$
34,352
$
55,435
$
90,954
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
7,447
(8,222
)
(2,462
)
Derivative instruments
(924 )
3,823
-
Pension and postretirement plans
(13
)
(15
)
(16
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
6,510
(4,414
)
(2,478
)
Total comprehensive income
40,862
51,021
88,476
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax:
Net earnings
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(113
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
(29
)
Comprehensive income attributable to SMP
$
40,644
$
51,050
$
88,393
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands,
except share data)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
32,526
$
21,150
Accounts receivable, less allowances for discounts and expected credit losses of $8,045 and $5,375 in 2023 and 2022, respectively
160,282
167,638
Inventories
507,075
528,715
Unreturned customer inventories
18,240
19,695
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
26,100
25,241
Total current assets
744,223
762,439
Property, plant and equipment, net
121,872
107,148
Operating lease right-of-use assets
100,065
49,838
Goodwill
134,729
132,087
Other intangibles, net
92,308
100,504
Deferred incomes taxes
40,533
33,658
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
24,050
41,745
Other assets
35,267
27,510
Total assets
$
1,293,047
$
1,254,929
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of revolving credit facility
$
-
$
50,000
Current portion of term loan and other debt
5,029
5,031
Accounts payable
107,455
89,247
Sundry payables and accrued expenses
63,303
49,990
Accrued customer returns
38,238
37,169
Accrued core liability
18,399
22,952
Accrued rebates
42,278
37,381
Payroll and commissions
29,561
31,361
Total current liabilities
304,263
323,131
Long-term debt
151,182
184,589
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
88,974
40,709
Other accrued liabilities
25,742
22,157
Accrued asbestos liabilities
72,013
63,305
Total liabilities
642,174
633,891
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common Stock - par value $2.00 per share:
Authorized 30,000,000 shares, issued 23,936,036 shares
47,872
47,872
Capital in excess of par value
101,751
105,615
Retained earnings
573,226
564,242
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(5,974
)
(12,470
)
Treasury stock - at cost (2,018,982 shares and 2,350,377 shares in 2023 and 2022, respectively)
(81,811
)
(95,239
)
Total SMP stockholders’ equity
635,064
610,020
Noncontrolling interest
15,809
11,018
Total stockholders’ equity
650,873
621,038
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,293,047
$
1,254,929
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings
$
34,352
$
55,435
$
90,954
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
29,022
28,298
27,243
Amortization of deferred financing cost
Increase (decrease) to allowance for expected credit losses
2,943
(757
)
Increase (decrease) to inventory reserves
3,068
6,035
(585
)
Customer bankruptcy charge
-
7,002
-
Equity income from joint ventures
(2,070
)
(3,464
)
(3,295
)
Employee Stock Ownership Plan allocation
2,966
2,296
2,513
Stock-based compensation
6,598
8,178
9,479
(Increase) in deferred income taxes
(6,952
)
(713
)
(1,801
)
Increase in tax valuation allowance
1,068
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
28,996
17,691
8,467
Change in assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable
7,965
6,916
28,464
(Increase) decrease in inventories
29,494
(67,495
)
(107,609
)
(Increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
(70
)
(5,509
)
(843
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
19,645
(48,604
)
33,046
Increase (decrease) in sundry payables and accrued expenses
(4,284
)
(29,089
)
13,430
Net changes in other assets and liabilities
(8,578
)
(5,242
)
(15,044
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
144,260
(27,533
)
85,564
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions of and investments in businesses
(3,954
)
(1,934
)
(125,419
)
Cash acquired in step acquisition
6,779
-
-
Capital expenditures
(28,633
)
(25,956
)
(25,875
)
Other investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities
(25,700
)
(27,817
)
(151,249
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under term loan
-
100,000
-
Repayments of term loan
(5,000 )
(2,500 )
-
Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving credit facilities
(78,500
)
16,702
115,298
Net borrowings (repayments) of other debt and lease obligations
(58
)
(2,895
)
3,048
Purchase of treasury stock
-
(29,656
)
(26,862
)
Payments of debt issuance costs
-
(2,128 )
-
Increase (decrease) in overdraft balances
(189
)
(595
)
Dividends paid
(25,164 )
(23,428 )
(22,179 )
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
(700
)
-
(540
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(109,611
)
55,500
69,012
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
2,427
(755
)
(1,060
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
11,376
(605
)
2,267
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at beginning of year
21,150
21,755
19,488
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at end of year
$
32,526
$
21,150
$
21,755
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest
$
14,597
$
9,892
$
1,721
Income taxes
$
16,019
$
25,015
$
26,323
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Common
Stock
Capital in
Excess of Par
Value
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Treasury
Stock
Total SMP
Non-
controlling
Interest
Total
(In thousands)
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2020
$
47,872
$
105,084
$
463,612
$
(5,676
)
$
(60,656
)
$ 550,236
$ -
$
550,236
Noncontrolling interest in business acquired
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,504
11,504
Net earnings
-
-
90,886
-
-
90,886
90,954
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
-
-
-
(2,493
)
-
(2,493 )
(2,478
)
Cash dividends paid ($1.00 per share)
-
-
(22,179
)
-
-
(22,179 )
-
(22,179
)
Purchase of treasury stock
-
-
-
-
(26,862
)
(26,862 )
-
(26,862
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
(540 )
(540 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
9,320
9,479
-
9,479
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
-
-
-
2,379
2,513
-
2,513
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2021
47,872
105,377
532,319
(8,169
)
(75,819
)
601,580
11,047
612,627
Net earnings
-
-
55,351
-
-
55,351
55,435
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
-
-
-
(4,301
)
-
(4,301 )
(113 )
(4,414
)
Cash dividends paid ($1.08 per share)
-
-
(23,428
)
-
-
(23,428 )
-
(23,428
)
Purchase of treasury stock
-
-
-
-
(29,656
)
(29,656 )
-
(29,656
)
Stock-based compensation
-
(131
)
-
-
8,309
8,178
-
8,178
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
-
-
-
1,927
2,296
-
2,296
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2022
47,872
105,615
564,242
(12,470
)
(95,239
)
610,020
11,018
621,038
Noncontrolling interest in step acquisition
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,273
5,273
Net earnings
-
-
34,148
-
-
34,148
34,352
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
-
-
-
6,496
-
6,496
6,510
Cash dividends paid ($1.16 per share)
-
-
(25,164
)
-
-
(25,164 )
-
(25,164
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
(700 )
(700 )
Stock-based compensation
-
(3,880
)
-
-
10,478
6,598
-
6,598
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
-
-
-
2,950
2,966
-
2,966
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2023
$
47,872
$
101,751
$
573,226
$
(5,974
)
$
(81,811
)
$ 635,064
$ 15,809
$
650,873
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
Standard Motor Products, Inc. and its subsidiaries (referred to hereinafter in these notes to the consolidated financial statements as “we,” “us,” “our,” “SMP,” or the “Company”) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket, and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. Our automotive aftermarket is comprised of two segments, Vehicle Control and Temperature Control, while our Engineered Solutions segment offers a broad array of conventional and future-oriented technologies in markets for commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports, marine, hydraulics and lawn and garden. We sell our products primarily to retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and other Latin American countries.
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and all domestic and international companies in which we have more than a 50% equity ownership, except in instances where the minority shareholder maintains substantive participating rights, in which case we follow the equity method of accounting. In instances where we have more than a 50% equity ownership and the minority shareholder does not maintain substantive participating rights, our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company on a consolidated basis with its net income and equity reported at amounts attributable to both our equity position and that of the noncontrolling interest. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for on the equity method, as we do not have a controlling financial interest but have the ability to exercise significant influence. All significant inter-company items have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated annual and quarterly financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We have made a number of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements. We can give no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates. Although we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates, or in the assumptions that we use in calculating the estimates, the uncertain future effects, if any, of disruptions in the supply chain caused by geo-political risks, future increases in interest rates, inflation, macroeconomic uncertainty, and other unforeseen changes in the industry, or business, could materially impact the estimates, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Some of the more significant estimates include allowances for expected credit losses, cash discounts, valuation of inventory, valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, product liability exposures, asbestos, environmental and litigation matters, valuation of deferred tax assets, share based compensation and sales returns and other allowances.
Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2023 presentation.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Reportable Segments
Beginning on January 1, 2023, we reorganized our business into three operating segments - Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions. The new operating segment structure better aligns our operations with our strategic focus on diversifying our business, provides greater transparency into our positioning to capture opportunities for growth in the future, and provides clarity regarding the unique dynamics and margin profiles of the markets served by each segment. Prior period segment results have been reclassified to conform to our operating segment reorganization. For additional information related to our segment reorganization, see Note 8, “Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets,” Note 21, “Industry Segment and Geographic Data” and Note 22, “Net Sales.”
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Expected Credit Losses and Cash Discounts
We do not generally require collateral for our trade accounts receivable. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. These allowances are established based on a combination of write-off history, supportable forecasts, aging analysis, and specific account evaluations. When a receivable balance is known to be uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for expected credit losses. Cash discounts are provided based on an overall average experience rate applied to qualifying accounts receivable balances.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in first-out basis. Where appropriate, standard cost systems are utilized for purposes of determining cost; the standards are adjusted as necessary to ensure they approximate actual costs. Estimates of lower of cost and net realizable value of inventory are determined by comparing the actual cost of the product to the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation of the inventory.
We
also evaluate inventories on a regular basis to identify inventory on hand that may be obsolete or in excess of current and future projected market demand. For inventory deemed to be obsolete, we provide a reserve on the full value of the inventory. Inventory that is in excess of current and projected use is reduced by an allowance to a level that approximates our estimate of future demand. Future projected demand requires management judgment and is based upon (a) our review of historical trends and (b) our estimate of projected customer specific buying patterns and trends in the industry and markets in which we do business. Using rolling twelve month historical information, we estimate future demand on a continuous basis. The historical volatility of such estimates has been minimal. We maintain provisions for inventory reserves of $42.9 million and $42.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We utilize cores (used parts) in our remanufacturing processes for air conditioning compressors, diesel injectors, and diesel pumps. The production of air conditioning compressors, diesel injectors, and diesel pumps involves the rebuilding of used cores, which we acquire either in outright purchases from used parts brokers, or from returns pursuant to an exchange program with customers. Under such exchange programs, at the time of sale of air conditioning compressors, diesel injectors, and diesel pumps, we estimate the core expected to be returned from the customer and record the estimated return as unreturned customer inventory.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In addition, many of our customers can return inventory to us based upon customer warranty and overstock arrangements within customer specific limits. At the time products are sold, we accrue a liability for product warranties and overstock returns and record as unreturned customer inventory our estimate of anticipated customer returns. Estimates are based upon historical information on the nature, frequency and probability of the customer return. Unreturned core, warranty and overstock customer inventory is recorded at standard cost. Revision to these estimates is made when necessary, based upon changes in these factors. We regularly study trends of such claims.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method of depreciation over the estimated useful lives as follows:
Estimated Life
Buildings
25 to 33-1/2 years
Building improvements
10 to 25 years
Machinery and equipment
5 to 12 years
Tools, dies and auxiliary equipment
3 to 8 years
Furniture and fixtures
3 to 12 years
Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the lease. Costs related to maintenance and repairs which do not prolong the assets useful lives are expensed as incurred. We assess our property, plant and equipment to be held and used for impairment when indicators are present that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. For operating leases, we include and report operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, sundry payables and accrued expenses, and noncurrent operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet for leases with a term longer than twelve months. Finance leases are reported on our consolidated balance sheets in property, plant and equipment, current portion of other debt, and long-term debt.
Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the total lease payments over the lease term. Our ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying leased asset over the existing lease term, and the corresponding lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease agreement. As most of our leases do not provide for an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available when determining the present value of our lease payments. Our lease terms may include options to terminate, or extend, our lease when it is reasonably certain that we will execute the option. Lease agreements may contain lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill
At acquisition, we estimate and record the fair value of purchased intangible assets, which primarily consist of customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, patents, developed technology and intellectual property, and non-compete agreements. Intangible assets acquired through business combinations are subject to potential adjustments within the measurement period, which is up to one year from the acquisition date. Valuing intangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions. As related to valuing customer relationships, significant estimates and assumptions used include but are not limited to: (1) forecasted revenues attributable to existing customers; (2) forecasted earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) margins; (3) customer attrition rates; and (4) the discount rate. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not amortized to earnings, but instead are subject to periodic testing for impairment. Intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over their remaining useful lives. We believe that the fair value of acquired identifiable net assets, including intangible assets, are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets, identifiable intangibles assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. With respect to goodwill and identifiable intangible assets having indefinite lives, we test for impairment on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate the fair value is below its carrying amount. Factors we consider important, which could trigger an impairment review, include the following: (a) significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and (c) significant negative industry or economic trends. We review the fair values using the discounted cash flows method and market multiples.
When performing our evaluation of goodwill for impairment, if we conclude qualitatively that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative impairment test would not be required. If we are unable to reach this conclusion, then we would perform a goodwill quantitative impairment test. In performing the quantitative test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount. A charge for impairment is recognized by the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
Identifiable intangible assets having indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis using a methodology similar with that used to evaluate goodwill. Intangible assets having definite lives and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events such as product discontinuance, plant closures, product dispositions or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In reviewing intangible assets having definite lives and other long-lived assets for impairment, we compare the carrying value of such assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the assets fair value and their carrying value.
There are inherent assumptions and estimates used in developing future cash flows requiring our judgment in applying these assumptions and estimates to the analysis of identifiable intangibles and long-lived asset impairment including projecting revenues, interest rates, tax rates and the cost of capital. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods. These changes can result in future impairments. In the event our planning assumptions were modified resulting in impairment to our assets, we would be required to include an expense in our statement of operations, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and remains there until the underlying foreign operation is liquidated or substantially disposed of. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recorded in the statement of operations under the caption “other non-operating income (expense), net.”
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenue primarily from vehicle aftermarket sales in our Vehicle Control and Temperature Control Segments, and non-aftermarket sales in our Engineered Solutions Segment. We recognize revenues when our performance obligation has been satisfied and the control of products has been transferred to a customer which typically occurs upon shipment. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the transfer of goods or providing services. The amount of consideration we receive and revenue we recognize depends on the marketing incentives, product warranty and overstock returns we offer to our customers. For certain of our sales of remanufactured products, we also charge our customers a deposit for the return of a used core component which we can use in our future remanufacturing activities. Such deposit is not recognized as revenue at the time of the sale but rather carried as a core liability. At the same time, we estimate the core expected to be returned from the customer and record the estimated return as unreturned customer inventory. The liability is extinguished when a core is actually returned to us, or at period end when we estimate and recognize revenue for the core deposits not expected to be returned. We estimate and record provisions for cash discounts, quantity rebates, sales returns and warranties in the period the sale is recorded, based upon our prior experience and current trends. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in estimating sales returns and allowances relating to revenue recognized in any accounting period.
Product Warranty and Overstock Returns
Many of our products carry a warranty ranging from a 90-day limited warranty to a lifetime limited warranty, which generally covers defects in materials or workmanship and failure to meet industry published specifications and/or the result of installation error. In addition to warranty returns, we also permit our customers to return new, undamaged products to us within customer-specific limits (which are generally limited to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us) in the event that they have overstocked their inventories. At the time products are sold, we accrue a liability for product warranties and overstock returns as a percentage of sales based upon estimates established using historical information on the nature, frequency and average cost of the claim and the probability of the customer return. At the same time, we record an estimate of anticipated customer returns as unreturned customer inventory. Significant judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns and other allowances in any accounting period. Revision to these estimates is made when necessary, based upon changes in these factors. We regularly study trends of such claims.
New Customer Acquisition Costs
New customer acquisition costs refer to arrangements pursuant to which we incur change-over costs to induce a new customer to switch from a competitor’s brand. In addition, change-over costs include the costs related to removing the new customer’s inventory and replacing it with our inventory commonly referred to as a stock lift. New customer acquisition costs are recorded as a reduction to revenue when incurred.
Selling, General and Administration Expenses
Selling, general and administration expenses include shipping costs and advertising, which are expensed as incurred. Shipping and handling charges, as well as freight to customers, are included in distribution expenses as part of selling, general and administration expenses.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs represent costs incurred in conjunction with our debt financing activities. Deferred financing costs related to our term loan and revolving credit facilities are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related financing arrangement. If the debt is retired early, the related unamortized deferred financing costs are written off in the period the debt is retired and are recorded in the statement of operations under the caption other non-operating income (expense), net.
Accounting for Income Taxes
Income taxes are calculated using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, as measured by the current enacted tax rates.
We maintain valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred asset will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, we consider all positive and negative evidence and all sources of taxable income such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carryback and carryforward periods and tax strategies to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the deferred tax asset. The assessment of the adequacy of our valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, or we adjust these estimates in future periods for current trends or expected changes in our estimating assumptions, we may need to modify the level of valuation allowance which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The valuation allowance of $3.8 million as of December 31, 2023 is intended to provide for the uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of our U.S. foreign tax credit carryovers. Based on these considerations, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of the net deferred tax asset of $40.5 million as of December 31, 2023, which is net of the remaining valuation allowance.
Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we did not establish a liability for uncertain tax positions.
Environmental Reserves
We are subject to various U.S. Federal and state and local environmental laws and regulations and are involved in certain environmental remediation efforts. We estimate and accrue our liabilities resulting from such matters based upon a variety of factors including the assessments of environmental engineers and consultants who provide estimates of potential liabilities and remediation costs. Such estimates are not discounted to reflect the time value of money due to the uncertainty in estimating the timing of the expenditures, which may extend over several years. Potential recoveries from insurers or other third parties of environmental remediation liabilities are recognized independently from the recorded liability, and any asset related to the recovery will be recognized only when the realization of the claim for recovery is deemed probable.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Asbestos Litigation
In evaluating our potential asbestos-related liability, we have considered various factors including, among other things, an actuarial study of the asbestos related liabilities performed by an independent actuarial firm, our settlement amounts and whether there are any co-defendants, the jurisdiction in which lawsuits are filed, and the status and results of such claims. As is our accounting policy, we consider the advice of actuarial consultants with experience in assessing asbestos-related liabilities to estimate our potential claim liability; and perform an actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. The methodology used to project asbestos-related liabilities and costs in our actuarial study considered: (1) historical data available from publicly available studies; (2) an analysis of our recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates into the future; (3) an analysis of our currently pending claims; (4) an analysis of our settlements and awards of asbestos-related damages to date; and (5) an analysis of closed claims with pay ratios and lag patterns in order to develop average future settlement values. Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we have concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages was more likely than any other and, therefore, in assessing our asbestos liability we compare the low end of the range to our recorded liability to determine if an adjustment is required. Future legal costs are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations.
We plan to perform an annual actuarial evaluation during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. Given the uncertainties associated with projecting such matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we can give no assurance that additional provisions will not be required. We will continue to monitor events and changes in circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether to perform additional actuarial evaluations and whether additional provisions may be necessary, which will reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations. At the present time, however, we do not believe that any additional provisions would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or consolidated financial position.
Loss Contingencies
We have loss contingencies, for such matters as legal claims and legal proceedings. Establishing loss reserves for these matters requires estimates, judgment of risk exposure and ultimate liability. We record provisions when the liability is considered probable and reasonably estimable. Significant judgment is required for both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. We maintain an ongoing monitoring and identification process to assess how the activities are progressing against the accrued estimated costs. As additional information becomes available, we reassess our potential liability related to these matters. Adjustments to the liabilities are recorded in the statement of operations in the period when additional information becomes available. Such revisions of the potential liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments, accounts receivable and derivative financial instruments used to reduce our market risk for changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings. We place our cash investments with high quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one institution. Derivative financial instruments used to reduce our market risk for changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings are entered into with high quality financial institutions, with their credit worthiness reviewed on a quarterly basis. Although we are directly affected by developments in the vehicle parts industry, management does not believe significant credit risk exists.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
With respect to accounts receivable, such receivables are primarily from warehouse distributors and major retailers in the automotive aftermarket industry located in the U.S. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions. A significant portion of our net sales are concentrated from our three largest individual customers. The loss of one or more of these customers or, a significant reduction in purchases of our products from any one of them, could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In January 2023, one of our customers filed a petition for bankruptcy. In connection with the bankruptcy filing, we evaluated our potential risk and exposure as related to our outstanding accounts receivable balance from the customer as of December 31, 2022, and estimated our anticipated recovery. As a result of our evaluation, we recorded a $7 million pre-tax charge during the year ended December 31, 2022 to reduce our accounts receivable balance to our estimated recovery. The $7 million pre-tax charge was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. The bankruptcy court proceedings have continued into 2023. Although the courts have named us a “critical supplier,” the funds allocated to us have not yet been determined and, as such, we have not recorded an adjustment to the $7 million pre-tax charge previously recorded.
For further information on net sales to our three largest customers and our concentration our customer risk, see Note 21, “Industry Segment and Geographic Data.”
Foreign Cash Balances
Substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents, including foreign cash balances, at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were uninsured. Foreign cash balances at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $30.5 million and $18.5 million, respectively.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We occasionally use derivative financial instruments to reduce our market risk for changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in other current and long-term assets, and other current and long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. For derivative financial instruments that have been formally designated as cash flow interest rate hedges (“interest rate swap agreements”), provided that the hedging instrument is highly effective, the entire change in the fair value of the derivative will be deferred and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in the consolidated balance sheets. When the underlying hedged transaction is realized (i.e., when the interest payments on the underlying borrowing are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations), the gain/loss included in AOCI is recorded in earnings and reflected on the same line as the gain/loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk (i.e., interest expense). At the inception of each transaction, we formally document the hedge relationship, including the identification of the hedge instrument, the related hedged items, the effectiveness of the hedge, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Standards that are not yet adopted as of December 31, 2023
Standard
Description
Effective date
Effects on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2023-07,
Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
ASU 2023-07 will improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on an interim and annual basis.
ASU 2023-07 expands segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of (1) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss; (2) the amount and description of the composition of other segment items to reconcile to segment profit and loss; and (3) the CODM’s title and position and how the CODM uses the reported segment measures to allocate resources. Additionally, ASU 2023-07 requires interim disclosures of all reportable segment profit or loss and assets previously required annually by Topic 280.
The ASU is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, which for us is December 31, 2024, and all subsequent interim periods, with full retrospective application required to all prior periods presented. Early adoption is permitted.
The new standard will require expanding our segment disclosure to include additional segment level information. We are currently evaluating the full impact of adopting ASU 2023-07 on our consolidated financial statements, disclosures, processes and controls. On an ongoing basis, we will continue to assess the impact of the new standard through our planned date of adoption of December 31, 2024.
ASU 2023-09,
Income Taxes (Topic 270): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
ASU 2023-09 will improve transparency and decision making usefulness of income tax disclosures.
ASU 2023-09 will expand the annual required income effective tax rate reconciliation disclosures to include disclosure of (1) eight specific categories of rate reconciling items; (2) additional information for reconciling items that meet or exceed a quantitative threshold; and (3) expand the required disclosures to include reconciling percentages as well as reported amounts. Additionally, the ASU 2023-09 will expand required interim and annual disclosures of income taxes paid to include the disaggregation by federal, state and foreign jurisdictions, with expanded disclosures required annually.
The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, which for us is January 1, 2025, with full retrospective application required to all prior periods presented. Early adoption is permitted.
The new standard will require expanding our interim and annual income tax disclosures in our financial statements. We are currently evaluating the full impact of adopting ASU 2023-09 on our consolidated financial statements, disclosures, processes and controls. On an ongoing basis, we will continue to assess the impact of the new standard through our planned date of adoption of March 31, 2025.
We have reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded they were either not applicable or not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Business Acquisitions and Investments
2023 Increase in Equity Investment
Investment in Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd.
In April 2014, we formed Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd. (“Gwo Yng”), a 50/50 joint venture with Gwo Yng Enterprise Co., Ltd., a China-based manufacturer of air conditioner accumulators, filter driers, hose assemblies and switches. We acquired our 50% interest in the joint venture for approximately $14 million. In March 2018, we acquired an additional 15% equity interest in the joint venture for RMB 26,475,583 (approximately $4.2 million), thereby increasing our equity interest in the joint venture to 65%.
While we increased our equity interest in the joint venture to 65%, the minority shareholder maintained substantive participating rights that allowed it to participate in certain significant financial and operating decisions that occur in the ordinary course of business. As a result, we continued to account for our investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting.
In July 2023, we acquired an additional 15% equity interest in the joint venture for RMB 27,378,290 (approximately $4 million), thereby increasing our equity interest in Gwo Yng to 80%. In connection with the transaction, we amended and restated the charter documents of Gwo Yng to remove all minority shareholder substantive participating rights, giving SMP control of Gwo Yng. As a result, as of the closing date of the transaction, Gwo Yng was accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages (“a step acquisition”). Accordingly, commencing on the closing of the transaction, we reported the results of Gwo Yng on a consolidated basis with the minority ownership interest reported as a noncontrolling interest.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the total step acquisition purchase consideration to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values (in thousands):
Total purchase consideration (1)
$
21,725
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6,779
Receivables
5,912
Inventory
5,945
Other current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
2,924
Operating lease right-of-use assets
4,372
Intangible assets (2)
Goodwill
2,208
Long term investments and other assets
7,257
Current liabilities
(6,004
)
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
(3,455
)
Subtotal
26,998
Fair value of acquired noncontrolling interest
(5,273
)
Total purchase consideration allocated to net assets acquired
$
21,725
(1)
Total purchase consideration is the sum of the fair value of the previously held equity investment interest in Gwo Yng of $17.7 million and the cash paid of $4 million for the acquisition of the additional 15% equity ownership interest.
(2)
Intangible assets consists of customer relationships of $0.4 million and capitalized software of $0.1 million.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Intangible assets of $0.4 million consisting of customer relationships will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 10 years. Goodwill of $2.2 million was allocated to the Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions segments in the amounts of $1.2 million and $1 million, respectively. The goodwill reflects relationships, business specific knowledge and the replacement cost of an assembled workforce associated with personal reputations.
Revenues from Gwo Yng included in our consolidated statement of operations from the closing date of our 15% equity increase in July 2023 through December 31, 2023 were not material.
2022 Increase in Equity Investment
Investment in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
In August 2019, we acquired an approximate 29% minority interest in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“CYJ”) for approximately $5.1 million. CYJ is a manufacturer of automotive electric air conditioning compressors and is located in China. We determined, at that time, that due to a lack of a voting majority and other qualitative factors, we do not control the operations of CYJ and accordingly, our investment in CYJ would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
In October 2022, we acquired an additional 3.55% equity interest in CYJ for RMB 1.7 million (approximately $242,000), increasing our minority ownership interest in CYJ from an approximate interest of 29% to 33%. The additional acquired ownership interest in CYJ was paid for in cash funded by borrowings under our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent. We will continue to account for our minority interest in CYJ using the equity method of accounting.
2022 Business Acquisitions
Acquisition of Capital Stock of Kade Trading GmbH (“Kade”)
In October 2022, we acquired 100% of the capital stock of Kade Trading GmbH (“Kade”) headquartered in Glinde, Germany for Euros 2.7 million (approximately $2.7 million) plus a Euros 0.5 million (approximately $0.5 million) earn-out based upon Kade’s performance in 2024 and 2025. Kade is a supplier across Europe of mobile temperature control components to commercial vehicle, passenger car and specialty equipment markets and has been a distributor of products from our joint ventures including electric compressors, hose assemblies and receiver dryers, with annual sales of approximately $6 million. The acquired Kade business, reported as part of our Engineered Solutions segment, was paid for with cash.
The following table presents the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values (in thousands):
Purchase price
$
3,176
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Receivables
$
Inventory
Other current assets (1)
1,003
Property, plant and equipment, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Intangible assets
2,395
Goodwill
Current liabilities
(1,977
)
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
(328
)
Deferred income taxes
(766
)
Net assets acquired
$
3,176
(1)
The other current assets balance includes $1 million of cash acquired.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Intangible assets acquired of $2.4 million consist of customer relationships that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 15 years.
Incremental revenues from the acquired Kade business included in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $5 million.
3. Restructuring and Integration Expenses
The aggregated liabilities included in “sundry payables and accrued expenses” and “other accrued liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet relating to the restructuring and integration activities as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Workforce
Reduction
Other Exit
Costs
Total
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2021
$
$
-
$
Restructuring and integration costs:
Amounts provided for during 2022 (1)
1,521
1,891
Cash payments
(16
)
(144
)
(160
)
Reclassification of environmental and other liabilities
(63 )
(226 )
(289 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2022
$
1,521
$
-
$
1,521
Restructuring and integration costs:
Amounts provided for during 2023 (1) (2)
1,973
2,642
Cash payments
(1,803
)
(577
)
(2,380
)
Reclassification of environmental liability
-
(92 )
(92 )
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
-
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2023
$
1,729
$
-
$
1,729
(1)
Included in restructuring and integration costs in 2023 and 2022 is a $0.1 million and $0.2 million increase, respectively, in environmental cleanup costs related to ongoing monitoring and remediation in connection with the prior closure of our manufacturing operations at our Long Island City, New York location. The environmental liability has been reclassed to accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(2)
Restructuring and integration expenses incurred during the year ended December 31, 2023 consist of $1.3 million in our Vehicle Control segment, $1.1 million in our Temperature Control segment and $0.2 million in our Engineered Solutions segment.
Restructuring Costs
Cost Reduction Initiative
During the fourth quarter of 2022, to further our ongoing efforts to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs, we announced plans for a reduction in our sales force, and initiated plans to relocate certain product lines from our Independence, Kansas manufacturing facility and from our St. Thomas, Canada manufacturing facility to our manufacturing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico.
Total restructuring expenses related to the initiative of approximately $2.5 million and $1.5 million were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 consist of (1) expenses of approximately $0.7 million related to a further sales force reduction, (2) expenses of approximately $1.3 million of employee severance and bonuses related to our product line relocations, and (3) expenses of approximately $0.5 million related to the relocation of machinery and equipment to our manufacturing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico. Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 consist of (1) expenses of approximately $0.9 million related to our sales force reduction, and (2) expenses of approximately $0.6 million consisting of employee severance related to our product line relocations. Cash payments made under the initiative were $2.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Additional restructuring costs related to the initiative, and expected to be incurred, are approximately $0.5 million. We anticipate that the Cost Reduction Initiative will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Plant Rationalization Programs
The 2016 Plant Rationalization Program, which included the shutdown and sale of our Grapevine, Texas facility, and the 2017 Orlando Rationalization Program, which included the shutdown of our Orlando, Florida facility, have been completed. Cash payments made of $16,000 during the year ended December 31, 2022 consist of severance payments to former employees terminated in connection with these programs. There is no remaining aggregate liability related to these programs as of December 31, 2022.
Integration Costs
Particulate Matter Sensor (“Soot Sensor”) Product Line Relocation
In connection with our acquisitions in March 2021 and November 2021 of certain soot sensor product lines from Stoneridge, Inc., we incurred certain integration expenses in connection with the relocation of certain inventory, machinery, and equipment from Stoneridge’s facilities in Lexington, Ohio and Tallinn, Estonia to our existing facilities in Independence, Kansas and Bialystok, Poland, respectively. Integration expenses recognized and cash payments made of $144,000 during the year ended December 31, 2022 related to these relocation activities.The soot sensor product line relocation has been completed and there is no remaining aggregate liability related to the soot sensor product line relocation as of December 31, 2022.
4. Sale of Receivables
We are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions. We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt. Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale. As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.
Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $830.8 million and $813.7 million of receivables for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Receivables presented at financial institutions and not yet collected as of December 31, 2023 were $4.5 million and remained in our accounts receivable balance as of that date. There were no receivables presented at financial institutions and not yet collected as of December 31, 2022. All receivables sold were reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale. A charge in the amount of $46 million, $32 million and $11.5 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
To the extent that these arrangements are terminated, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected by extended payment terms, delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables. The utility of the supply chain financing arrangements also depends upon a benchmark reference rate for the purpose of determining the discount rate applicable to each arrangement. If the benchmark reference rate increases significantly, we may be negatively impacted as we may not be able to pass these added costs on to our customers, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. Inventories
December 31,
(In thousands)
Finished goods
$
302,557
$
324,362
Work-in-process
18,503
14,099
Raw materials
186,015
190,254
Subtotal
507,075
528,715
Unreturned customer inventories
18,240
19,695
Total inventories
$
525,315
$
548,410
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
December 31,
(In thousands)
Land, buildings and improvements
$
45,710
$
42,651
Machinery and equipment
177,337
166,149
Tools, dies and auxiliary equipment
73,494
67,017
Furniture and fixtures
33,212
32,084
Leasehold improvements
16,418
15,083
Construction-in-progress
35,357
23,340
Total property, plant and equipment
381,528
346,324
Less accumulated depreciation
259,656
239,176
Total property, plant and equipment, net
$
121,872
$
107,148
Depreciation expense was $19.7 million in 2023, $19 million in 2022 and $18.2 million in 2021.
7. Leases
Quantitative Lease Disclosures
We have operating and finance leases for our manufacturing facilities, warehouses, office space, automobiles, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of up to eleven years, some of which may include one or more five-year renewal options. We have not included any of the renewal options in our operating lease payments, as we concluded that it is not reasonably certain that we will exercise any of these renewal options. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance leases are not material.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following tables provide quantitative disclosures related to our operating leases and includes all operating leases acquired from the date of the acquisition (in thousands):
Balance Sheet Information
December 31,
Assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
100,065
$
49,838
Liabilities
Sundry payables and accrued expenses
$
17,139
$
10,763
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
88,974
40,709
Total operating lease liabilities
$
106,113
$
51,472
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases
8.3 Years
7 Years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases
4.8
%
3.7
%
Year Ended, December 31,
Expense and Cash Flow Information
Lease Expense
Operating lease expense (a)
$
16,434
$
11,411
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash Paid for the amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
12,099
$
11,293
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
Operating leases (b)
$
66,014
$
31,064
(a)
Excludes expenses of approximately $3.3 million, $2.7 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, related to non-lease components such as maintenance, property taxes, etc., and operating lease expense for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, which is not material.
(b)
During the year ended December 31, 2023 includes $27.8 million of right-of-use assets related to the lease modification and extension for our distribution center and office in Lewisville, Texas; $26.1 million of right-of-use assets related to the new distribution center in Shawnee, Kansas; $4.4 million of right-of-use assets obtained in Gwo Yng step-acquisition; and $3.7 million of right-of-use assets related to our Reynosa, Mexico lease renewal.
Minimum Lease Payments
At December 31, 2023, we are obligated to make minimum lease payments through 2034, under operating leases, which are as follows (in thousands):
$
17,607
16,145
14,814
13,671
11,415
Thereafter
58,059
Total lease payments
$
131,711
Less: Interest
(25,598
)
Present value of lease liabilities
$
106,113
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
We assess the impairment of long-lived and identifiable intangibles assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. With respect to goodwill, we test for impairment on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount.
When performing our evaluation of goodwill for impairment, if we conclude qualitatively that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative impairment test would not be required. If we are unable to reach this conclusion, then we would perform a goodwill quantitative impairment test. In performing the quantitative test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount. A charge for impairment is recognized by the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
In connection with our operating segment reorganization, we reassessed our reporting units and reallocated goodwill from the reporting units that existed prior to the change to the new reporting units, using a relative fair value approach similar to that used when a portion of a reporting unit is to be disposed of. We performed goodwill impairment tests as of January 1, 2023 on both the reporting units in place prior to the change and the new reporting units, and concluded that the estimated fair values of each of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amounts and, therefore, no impairment charge was necessary.
We
completed our annual impairment test of goodwill as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we performed a qualitative assessment of the likelihood of a goodwill impairment for the Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions reporting units. Based upon our qualitative assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the each of the Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions reporting units was less than their respective carrying amounts. As such, we concluded that the quantitative impairment test would not be required, and that there would be no required goodwill impairment charge as of December 31, 2023 at each of the reporting units. While we concluded that we did not have a goodwill impairment charge as of December 31, 2023, and we do not believe that future impairments are probable, we will need to maintain the current ongoing performance levels at each of the Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions reporting units in future periods to sustain their goodwill carrying values.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Changes in the carrying values of goodwill by operating segment during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
Engineered
Solutions
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2021:
Goodwill
$
129,318
$
10,839
$ 29,983
$
170,140
Accumulated impairment losses
(38,488
)
-
-
(38,488
)
$
90,830
$
10,839
$ 29,983
$
131,652
Activity in 2022
Acquisition of Kade
-
Foreign currency exchange rate change
(310
)
(74 )
(331
)
Balance as of December 31, 2022:
Goodwill
129,008
11,474
30,093
170,575
Accumulated impairment losses
(38,488 )
-
-
(38,488 )
$ 90,520
$ 11,474
$ 30,093
$ 132,087
Activity in 2023
Step acquisition of Gwo Yng
-
1,214
2,208
Foreign currency exchange rate change
Balance as of December 31, 2023:
Goodwill
129,294
12,730
31,193
173,217
Accumulated impairment losses
(38,488 )
-
-
(38,488 )
$
90,806
$
12,730
$ 31,193
$
134,729
Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consist of:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Customer relationships
$
159,641
$
158,717
Patents, developed technology and intellectual property
14,123
14,123
Trademarks and trade names
8,880
8,880
Non-compete agreements
3,295
3,282
Supply agreements
Leaseholds
Total acquired intangible assets
186,899
185,962
Less accumulated amortization (1)
(95,681
)
(86,945
)
Net acquired intangible assets
$
91,218
$
99,017
(3)
Applies to all intangible assets, except for a related trademark/trade name totaling $2.6 million, which has an indefinite useful life and, as such, is not being amortized.
Total amortization expense for acquired intangible assets was $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Based on the current estimated useful lives assigned to our intangible assets, amortization expense is estimated to be $8.5 million for 2024, $8.5 million in 2025, $8.5 million in 2026, $8.4 million in 2027 and $54.7 million in the aggregate for the years 2028 through 2041.
For information related to identified intangible assets acquired in the Kade acquisition and Gwo Yng step acquisition, see Note 2, “Business Acquisitions and Investments,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets include computer software. Computer software as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 totaled $19.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively. Total accumulated computer software amortization as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $18 million and $17.2 million, respectively. Computer software is amortized over its estimated useful life of 3 to 10 years. Amortization expense for computer software was $0.8 million, $0.7 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
December 31,
(In thousands)
Foshan FGD SMP Automotive Compressor Co. Ltd
$
18,426
$
16,747
Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
3,128
4,098
Orange Electronic Co. Ltd
2,496
2,490
Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd.
-
18,410
Total
$
24,050
$
41,745
Investment in Foshan FGD SMP Automotive Compressor Co. Ltd.
In November 2017, we formed Foshan FGD SMP Automotive Compressor Co., Ltd., a 50/50 joint venture with Foshan Guangdong Automotive Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. (“FGD”), a China-based manufacturer of automotive belt driven air conditioning compressors. We acquired our 50% interest in the joint venture for approximately $12.5 million. We determined that due to a lack of a voting majority, and other qualitative factors, we do not control the operations of the joint venture and accordingly, our investment in the joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made purchases from the joint venture of approximately $44.1 million and $43.5 million, respectively.
Investment in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
In August 2019, we acquired an approximate 29% minority interest in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“CYJ”) for approximately $5.1 million. CYJ is a manufacturer of automotive electric air conditioning compressors and is located in China. Our minority interest in CYJ is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
In December 2021, Standard Motor Products (Hong Kong), Ltd., (“SMP HK”), a subsidiary of Standard Motor Products, Inc., entered into an unsecured loan agreement with CYJ. Under the terms of the loan agreement, CYJ shall have the right to borrow from SMP HK, as lender, up to an aggregate principal amount of $4 million, with interest calculated on the basis of simple interest of five percent (5%) per annum and a maturity date of November 30, 2023, subject to extension by SMP HK at its sole discretion. In September 2023, the loan agreement was extended through November 30, 2025. Outstanding borrowings under the loan agreement at December 31, 2023 were $4 million.
In October 2022, we acquired an additional 3.55% equity interest in CYJ for RMB 1.7 million (approximately $242,000), increasing our minority ownership interest in CYJ from an approximate interest of 29% to 33%. We will continue to account for our minority interest in CYJ using the equity method of accounting. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, purchases we made from CYJ were not material.
Investment in Orange Electronic Co. Ltd.
In January 2013, we acquired a minority interest in Orange Electronic Co., Ltd. (“Orange”) for $6.3 million. Orange is a manufacturer of tire pressure monitoring system sensors and is located in Taiwan. As of December 31, 2022, our minority interest in Orange of 19.4% is accounted for using the equity method of accounting as we have the ability to exercise significant influence. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made purchases from Orange of approximately $3.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Investment in Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd.
In April 2014, we formed Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd. (“Gwo Yng”), a 50/50 joint venture with Gwo Yng Enterprise Co., Ltd., a China-based manufacturer of air conditioner accumulators, filter driers, hose assemblies and switches. We acquired our 50% interest in the joint venture for approximately $14 million. In March 2018, we acquired an additional 15% equity interest in the joint venture for RMB 26,475,583 (approximately $4.2 million), thereby increasing our equity interest in the joint venture to 65%. While we increased our equity interest in the joint venture to 65%, the minority shareholder maintained substantive participating rights that allowed it to participate in certain significant financial and operating decisions that occur in the ordinary course of business. As a result, we continued to account for our investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting.
In July 2023, we acquired an additional 15% equity interest in the joint venture for RMB 27,378,290 (approximately $4 million), thereby increasing our equity interest in Gwo Yng to 80%. In connection with the transaction, we amended and restated the charter documents of Gwo Yng to remove all minority shareholder substantive participating rights, giving SMP control of Gwo Yng. As a result, as of the closing date of the transaction, Gwo Yng will be accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages (“a step acquisition”). Accordingly, commencing on the closing of the transaction, we will report the results of Gwo Yng on a consolidated basis with the minority ownership interest reported as a noncontrolling interest.
During
the year ended December 31, 2023 and through the date of our step acquisition in July 2023, we made purchases from the joint venture of approximately $10.3 million. Purchases made from the joint venture approximated $16.2 million during the year ended December 13, 2022.
For additional information related to Gwo Yng, see Note 2, “Business Acquisitions and Investments,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
10. Other Assets
December 31,
(In thousands)
Deferred compensation
$
23,893
$
20,190
Long-term investments
7,468
-
Noncurrent portion of interest rate swap fair value
1,944
3,091
Deferred financing costs, net
1,125
1,603
Other
2,626
Total other assets, net
$
35,267
$
27,510
Deferred compensation consists of assets held in a nonqualified defined contribution pension plan as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Long term investments as of December 31, 2023 consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities in excess of twelve months.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt
Total debt outstanding is summarized as follows:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Credit facility - term loan due 2027
$
92,500
$
97,500
Credit facility - revolver due 2027
63,500
142,000
Other
Total debt
$
156,211
$
239,620
Current maturities of debt
$
5,029
$
55,031
Long-term debt
151,182
184,589
Total debt
$
156,211
$
239,620
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facilities
In June 2022, the Company entered into a new Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a $500 million credit facility comprised of a $100 million term loan facility (the “term loan”) and a $400 million multi-currency revolving credit facility available in U.S. Dollars, Euros, Sterling, Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars and other currencies as agreed to by the administrative agent and the lenders (the “revolving facility”). The Credit Agreement replaces and refinances the 2015 Credit Agreement.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement were used to repay all outstanding borrowings under the 2015 Credit Agreement, and pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement, with future borrowings used for other general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. The term loan amortizes in quarterly installments of 1.25% in each of the first four years, and quarterly installments of 2.5% in the fifth year of the Credit Agreement. The revolving facility has a $25 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $25 million sub-limit for the borrowing of swingline loans. The maturity date is June 1, 2027. The Company may request up to two one-year extensions of the maturity date.
The Company may, upon the agreement of one or more then existing lenders or of additional financial institutions not currently party to the Credit Agreement, increase the revolving facility commitments or obtain incremental term loans by an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) the greater of (i) $168 million or (ii) 100% of consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the four fiscal quarters ended most recently before such date, plus (y) the amount of any voluntary prepayment of term loans, plus (z) an unlimited amount so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto, the pro forma First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) does not exceed 2.5 to 1.0.
Term loan and revolver facility borrowings in U.S. Dollars bear interest, at the Company’s election, at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR plus 0.10% plus an applicable margin, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin, where the alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and one-month Term SOFR plus 0.10% plus 1.00%. Term loan borrowings were made at one-month Term SOFR. The applicable margin for the term benchmark borrowings ranges from 1.0% to 2.0%, and the applicable margin for alternate base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 1.0%, in each case, based on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The Company may select interest periods of one, three or nine months for Term SOFR borrowings. Interest is payable at the end of the selected interest period, but no less frequently than quarterly.
The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by its material domestic subsidiaries (each, a “Guarantor”), and secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the existing and future personal property of the Company and each Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions. The collateral security described above also secures certain banking services obligations and interest rate swaps and currency or other hedging obligations of the Company owing to any of the then existing lenders or any affiliates thereof. Concurrently with the Company’s entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company also entered into a seven year interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Co-Syndication Agent and lender under the Credit Agreement, on $100 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate swap agreement matures in May 2029.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2023 under the Credit Agreement were $156 million, consisting of current borrowings of $5 million and long-term debt of $151 million; while outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2022 were $239.5 million, consisting of current borrowings of $55 million and long-term debt of $184.5 million. Letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement were $2.3 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
At December 31, 2023, the weighted average interest rate under our Credit Agreement was 5%, which consisted of $156 million in borrowings at 5% under Term SOFR, adjusted for the impact of the interest rate swap agreement on $100 million of borrowings. At December 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate under our Credit Agreement was 5.2%, which consisted of $237 million in borrowings at 5.2% under Term SOFR, adjusted for the impact of the interest rate swap agreement on $100 million of borrowings, and an alternative base rate borrowing of $2.5 million at 8%. During the year ended December 31, 2023, our average daily alternative base rate loan balance was $0.1 million, compared to a balance of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of liens, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests, acquisitions, investments, loans and guarantees, subject, in each case, to customary exceptions, thresholds and baskets. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default.
Polish Overdraft Facility
In November 2023, our Polish subsidiary, SMP Poland sp. z.o.o., further amended its overdraft facility with HSBC Continental Europe (Spolka Akcyjna) Oddzial w Polsce. The overdraft facility, as amended, provides for borrowings under the facility in Euros and U.S. Dollars. Under the amended terms, the overdraft facility provides for borrowings of up to Zloty 30 million (approximately $7.6 million) if borrowings are solely in Zloty, or up to 85% of the Zloty 30 million limit (approximately $6.5 million) if borrowings are in Euros and/or U.S. Dollars. The overdraft facility has a maturity date in March 2024, with automatic three-month renewals until June 2027, subject to cancellation by either party, at its sole discretion, at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the three-month renewal period. Borrowings under the amended overdraft facility will bear interest at a rate equal to (1) the one month Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate (“WIBOR”) + 1.0% for borrowings in Polish Zloty, (2) the one month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) + 1.0% for borrowings in Euros, and (3) the Mid-Point of the Fed Target Range + 1.25% for borrowings in U.S Dollars. Borrowings under the overdraft facility are guaranteed by Standard Motor Products, Inc., the ultimate parent company. There were no borrowings outstanding under the overdraft facility at both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Maturities of Debt
As of December 31, 2023, maturities of debt through 2027, assuming no prepayments, are as follows (in thousands):
Revolving Credit Facility
Term Loan Facility
Polish Overdraft Facility and Other Debt
Total
$
-
$
5,000
$
$
5,029
-
5,000
5,031
-
7,500
7,549
63,500
75,000
138,602
Total
$
63,500
$
92,500
$
$
156,211
Less: current maturities
-
(5,000
)
(29
)
(5,029
)
Long-term debt
$
63,500
$
87,500
$
$
151,182
Deferred Financing Costs
We have deferred financing costs of approximately $1.6 million and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Deferred financing costs are related to our term loan and revolving credit facilities. Deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2023, assuming no prepayments, are being amortized in the amounts of $0.5 million in 2024, $0.5 million in 2025, $0.5 million in 2026 and $0.1 million in 2027.
12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (in thousands)
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Unrecognized
Postretirement
Benefit Costs
(Credit)
Unrealized
derivative
gains
(losses)
Total
Balance at December 31, 2021 attributable to SMP
$
(8,221
)
$
$
-
$
(8,169
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(8,109
)
-
3,797
(1)
(4,312
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
-
(15
)
Other comprehensive income, net
(8,109
)
(15
)
3,823
(4,301
)
Balance at December 31, 2022 attributable to SMP
$ (16,330 )
$
$ 3,823
$ (12,470 )
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
7,433
-
(1)
8,264
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
-
(13 )
(1,755 )
(1,768 )
Other comprehensive income, net
7,433
(13 )
(924 )
6,496
Balance at December 31, 2023 attributable to SMP
$
(8,897
)
$
$
2,899
$
(5,974
)
(1)
Consists of the unrecognized loss relating to the change in fair value of the cash flow interest rate hedge of $1.2 million ($0.9 million, net of tax) plus cash settlement receipts of $2.4 million ($1.7 million, net of tax) in the year ended December 31, 2023; and the unrecognized gain relating to the change in fair value of the cash flow interest rate hedge of $5.2 million ($3.8 million, net of tax) minus cash settlement payments of $42,000 ($31,000, net of tax) in the year December 31, 2022.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
Derivative cash flow hedge:
Unrecognized gain (loss) (1)
$
(2,372
)
$
Postretirement Benefit Plans:
Unrecognized gain (loss) (2)
(22
)
(25
)
Total before income tax
(2,394
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(626
)
(1
)
Total reclassifications attributable to SMP
$
(1,768
)
$
(1)
Unrecognized accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the cash flow interest rate hedge is reclassified to earnings and reported as part of interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations when the interest payments on the underlying borrowings are recognized.
(2)
Unrecognized accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to our post retirement plans is reclassified to earnings and included in the computation of net periodic postretirement benefit costs, which are included in other non-operating income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations (see Note 15, “Employee Benefits,” for additional information).
13. Stockholders’ Equity
We have authority to issue 500,000 shares of preferred stock, $20 par value, and our Board of Directors is vested with the authority to establish and designate any series of preferred, to fix the number of shares therein and the variations in relative rights as between each series. In December 1995, our Board of Directors established a new series of preferred shares designated as Series A Participating Preferred Stock. The number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock is 30,000. The Series A Preferred Stock is designed to participate in dividends, ranks senior to our common stock as to dividends and liquidation rights and has voting rights. Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder to one thousand votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. No such shares were outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
In March 2020, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $20 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program, during the year ended December 31, 2021 were 150,273 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $6.5 million thereby completing the 2020 Board of Directors authorization.
In February 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $20 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program during the year ended December 31, 2021 were 464,992 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $20 million, thereby completing the February 2021 Board of Directors authorization.
In October 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $30 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program, during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 were 7,000 and 692,067 shares of our common stock, respectively, at a total cost of $0.3 million and $29.7 million, respectively, thereby completing the October 2021 Board of Directors authorization.
In July 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $30 million of our common stock under a new stock repurchase program. Stock will be purchased under the program from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant. To date, there have been no repurchases of our common stock under the program.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Our stock-based compensation program is a broad-based program designed to attract and retain employees while also aligning employees’ interests with the interests of our shareholders. In addition, members of our Board of Directors participate in our stock-based compensation program in connection with their service on our board.
In May 2021, our Board of Directors and Shareholders approved an amendment and restatement to the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, which terminates in May 2026, we are authorized to issue, among other things, shares of restricted and performance-based stock to eligible employees and restricted stock to directors of up to 2,050,000 shares; and shares of restricted and performance-based stock to nonemployee directors of up to 350,000 shares. Shares issued under the Plan that are cancelled, forfeited or expire by their terms are eligible to be granted again under the Plan. The 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan is the only remaining plan available to provide stock-based incentive compensation to our employees, directors and other eligible persons. Awards previously granted under the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan remain outstanding, while shares not yet granted under the plan are not available for future issuance.
We account for our stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation, which requires that a company measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The service period is the period of time that the grantee must provide services to us before the stock-based compensation is fully vested. The grant-date fair value of the award is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statements of operations. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant based on historical trends in order to estimate the amount of share-based awards that will ultimately vest. We monitor actual forfeitures for any subsequent adjustment to forfeiture rates.
Restricted Stock and Performance Share Grants
We currently grant shares of restricted stock to eligible employees and our independent directors and performance-based stock to eligible employees. We grant eligible employees two types of restricted stock (standard restricted shares and long-term retention restricted shares). Standard restricted shares granted to employees become fully vested no earlier than three years after the date of grant. Long-term retention restricted shares granted to selected executives vest at a 25% rate on or within approximately two months of an executive reaching the ages of 60 and 63, and become fully vested on or within approximately two months of an executive reaching the age of 65. Restricted shares granted to directors become fully vested upon the first anniversary of the date of grant.
Performance-based shares issued to eligible employees are subject to a three-year measuring period and the achievement of performance targets and, depending upon the achievement of such performance targets, they may become vested no earlier than three years after the date of grant. Each period we evaluate the probability of achieving the applicable targets, and we adjust our accrual accordingly. Restricted shares (other than long-term retention restricted shares) and performance shares issued to certain key executives and directors are subject to a one or two year holding period upon the lapse of the vesting period. Forfeitures on stock grants are estimated at 5% for employees and 0% for executives and directors based upon our evaluation of historical and expected future turnover.
Prior to the time a restricted share becomes fully vested or a performance share is issued, the awardees cannot transfer, pledge, hypothecate or encumber such shares. Prior to the time a restricted share is fully vested, the awardees have all other rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote (but do not receive dividends during the vesting period). Prior to the time a performance share is issued, the awardees shall have no rights as a stockholder. All shares and rights are subject to forfeiture if certain employment conditions are not met.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Under the amended and restated 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 2,050,000 shares are authorized to be issued. At December 31, 2023, under the plan, there were an aggregate of (a) 1,633,549 shares of restricted and performance-based stock grants issued, net of forfeitures, and (b) 416,451 shares of common stock available for future grants. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 230,875 restricted and performance-based shares were granted (165,125 restricted shares and 65,750 performance-based shares).
In determining the grant date fair value, the stock price on the date of grant, as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, was reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on the shares issued and outstanding during the requisite service period, discounted at a risk-free interest rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the restriction or vesting period at the grant date. In addition, a further discount for the lack of marketability reduced the fair value of grants issued to certain key executives and directors subject to the one or two year post vesting holding period. Assumptions used in calculating the discount for the lack of marketability include an estimate of stock volatility, risk-free interest rate, and a dividend yield.
As related to restricted and performance stock shares, we recorded compensation expense of $6.2 million ($4.8 million, net of tax), $7.6 million ($5.7 million, net of tax) and $9.1 million ($6.9 million, net of tax), for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unamortized compensation expense related to our restricted and performance-based shares was $13.3 million and $14.9 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.1 years and 0.3 years for employees and directors, respectively, as of December 31, 2023 and over a weighted average period of 4.3 years and 0.3 years for employees and directors, respectively, as of December 31, 2022.
Our restricted and performance-based share activity was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Shares
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value per Share
Balance at December 31, 2021
807,019
$
34.92
Granted
246,325
28.44
Vested
(190,082
)
41.71
Performance Shares Target Adjustment
25,317
42.21
Forfeited
(7,750
)
40.73
Balance at December 31, 2022
880,829
$
31.79
Granted
230,875
27.00
Vested
(248,065
)
36.30
Performance Shares Target Adjustment
29,137
36.30
Forfeited
(11,800
)
35.36
Balance at December 31, 2023
880,976
$
29.48
The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted and performance-based shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $26 million (or $29.48 per share), $28 million (or $31.79 per share), and $28.2 million (or $34.92 per share), respectively.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Employee Benefits
Defined Contribution Plans
We maintain various defined contribution plans, which include profit sharing, and provide retirement benefits for substantially all of our employees. Matching obligations, in connection with the plans which are funded in cash and typically contributed to the plans in March of the following year, are as follows (in thousands):
U.S. Defined
Contribution
Year ended December 31,
$
10,510
10,180
9,763
We maintain a defined contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for key employees. Under the plan, these employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation and, in addition, we may at our discretion make contributions to the plan on behalf of the employees. In March 2023 and 2022, contributions of $0.8 million were made related to calendar years 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we have recorded an obligation of $0.6 million for 2023.
We also have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (“ESOP”) for employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. In connection therewith, we maintain an employee benefits trust to which we contribute shares of treasury stock. We are authorized to instruct the trustees to distribute such shares toward the satisfaction of our future obligations under the plan. The shares held in trust are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share until they are committed to be released. The trustees will vote the shares in accordance with its fiduciary duties. During 2023, we contributed to the trust an additional 72,800 shares from our treasury and released 72,800 shares from the trust leaving 200 shares remaining in the trust as of December 31, 2023. The provision for expense in connection with the ESOP was approximately $3 million in 2023, $2.3 million in 2022 and $2.5 million in 2021.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
We maintain a defined benefit unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). The SERP, as amended, is a defined benefit plan pursuant to which we will pay supplemental pension benefits to certain key employees upon the attainment of a contractual participant’s payment date based upon the employees’ years of service and compensation. As there are no current participants in the SERP, there was no benefit obligation outstanding related to the plan as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and we recorded no expense related to the plan during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Postretirement Medical Benefits
We provide certain medical and dental care benefits to 14 former U.S. union employees. The postretirement medical and dental benefit obligation for the former union employees as of December 31, 2023, and the net periodic benefit cost for our postretirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were not material.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net
The components of other non-operating income (expense), net are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Interest and dividend income
$
$
$
Equity income from joint ventures
2,070
3,464
3,295
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange
(776
)
(257
)
Other non-operating income, net
Total other non-operating income, net
$
2,326
$
4,814
$
3,494
17. Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
We occasionally use derivative financial instruments to reduce our market risk for changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings. The principal financial instruments used for cash flow hedging purposes are interest rate swap agreements. The interest rate swaps effectively convert a portion of our variable rate borrowings under our existing facilities to a fixed rate based upon determined notional amount. We do not enter into interest rate swap agreements, or other financial instruments, for trading or speculative purposes.
In June 2022, we entered into a seven year interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $100 million that is to mature in May 2029. The interest rate swap agreement has been designated as a cash flow hedge of interest payments on $100 million of borrowings under our Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we will receive monthly variable interest payments based on one month Term SOFR and will pay interest based upon a fixed rate of 2.683% per annum, adjusted upward for the credit spread adjustment in the Credit Agreement of 0.10% and the loan margin in the Credit Agreement of 1.25% at December 31, 2023.
The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was an asset of $3.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, which has been deferred and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes, in our consolidated balance sheet. When the interest expense on the underlying borrowing is recognized, the deferred gain/loss in accumulated other comprehensive income is recorded in earnings as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. We perform quarterly hedge effectiveness assessments and anticipate that the interest rate swap will be highly effective throughout its term.
18. Fair Value Measurements
We follow a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following is a summary of the estimated fair values, carrying amounts, and classification under the fair value hierarchy of our financial instruments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Fair Value
Hierarchy
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
LEVEL 1/2
$
32,526
$
32,526
$
21,150
$
21,150
Deferred compensation
LEVEL 1
23,893
23,893
20,190
20,190
Short term borrowings
LEVEL 1
5,029
5,029
55,031
55,031
Long-term debt
LEVEL 1
151,182
151,182
184,589
184,589
Cash flow interest rate swap
LEVEL 2
3,939
3,939
5,174
5,174
Long-term investments
LEVEL 2
7,468
7,468
-
-
(a) As of December 31, 2023 cash and cash equivalents consist of cash of $29.5 million and cash equivalents of $3 million, which are classified as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, under the fair value hierarchy. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2022 consists solely of cash of $21.2 million, which is classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy.
Cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities of 3 months, or less. These securities are accounted for as held-to-maturity and recorded at amortized cost, which approximates their fair values at December 31, 2023. The fair value of the underlying assets held by the deferred compensation plan are based on the quoted market prices of the underlying funds which are held by registered investment companies. The carrying value of our variable rate short-term borrowings and long-term debt under our credit facilities approximates fair value as the variable interest rates in the facilities reflect current market rates. The fair value of our cash flow interest rate swap agreement is obtained from an independent third party, is based upon market quotes, and represents the net amount required to terminate the interest rate swap, taking into consideration market rates and counterparty credit risk. Long-term investments consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities in excess of twelve months. These securities are accounted for as held-to-maturity and recorded at amortized cost, which approximates their fair values at December 31, 2023.
19. Income Taxes
The income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Current:
Domestic
$
15,422
$
16,182
$
26,528
Foreign
9,224
8,669
5,851
Total current
24,646
24,851
32,379
Deferred:
Domestic
(5,769
)
1,102
(1,161
)
Foreign
(509
)
(747
)
(174
)
Total deferred
(6,278
)
(1,335
)
Total income tax provision
$
18,368
$
25,206
$
31,044
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Reconciliations between taxes at the U.S. Federal income tax rate and taxes at our effective income tax rate on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
U.S. Federal income tax rate of 21%
$
17,160
$
20,650
$
27,398
Increase (decrease) in tax rate resulting from:
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
2,086
3,118
4,579
Change in valuation allowance
1,068
Income tax (benefit) attributable to foreign income
(53
)
(122
)
Other non-deductible items, net
(1,929
)
(1,277
)
Provision for income taxes
$
18,368
$
25,206
$
31,044
The following is a summary of the components of the net deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
December 31,
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories
$
10,493
$
11,604
Allowance for customer returns
13,083
14,506
Accrued asbestos liabilities
20,758
17,208
Accrued salaries and benefits
11,816
12,048
Tax credit and NOL carryforwards
5,968
5,103
Allowance for expected credit losses
3,567
2,965
Other
65,702
63,649
Valuation allowance
(3,830
)
(3,155
)
Total deferred tax assets
61,872
60,494
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets acquired, net of amortization
12,668
13,292
Depreciation
7,597
8,715
Interest rate swap agreement
1,299
Other
3,530
Total deferred tax liabilities
21,339
26,836
Net deferred tax assets
$
40,533
$
33,658
In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will be realized. Ultimately, the realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income in those periods in which temporary differences become deductible and/or net operating loss carryforwards can be utilized. We consider the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversal of temporary differences, carryback and carryforward periods, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted. We also consider cumulative losses in recent years as well as the impact of one-time events in assessing our pre-tax earnings. Assumptions regarding future taxable income require significant judgment. Our assumptions are consistent with estimates and plans used to manage our business.
The valuation allowance of $3.8 million as of December 31, 2023 is intended to provide for uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of our U.S. foreign tax credit carryovers. Based on these considerations, we believe it is more likely than not that we would realize the benefit of the net deferred tax asset of $40.5 million as of December 31, 2023, which is net of the remaining valuation allowance. At December 31, 2023, we have foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $3.8 million that will expire in varying amounts by 2032.
As related to the taxation of our foreign subsidiaries, we aggregate our foreign earnings and profits, and utilize allowable deductions and available foreign tax credits in computing our U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest most, or all, of these earnings indefinitely outside of the U.S., and do not expect to incur any significant additional taxes related to such amounts.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In accordance with generally accepted accounting practices, we recognize in our financial statements only those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. We establish tax reserves for uncertain tax positions that do not meet this threshold. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we did not establish a liability for uncertain tax positions.
We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal tax examinations for years before 2020. We remain subject to examination by state and local tax authorities for tax years 2019 through 2022. Foreign jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 2 to 6 years. Years still open to examination by foreign tax authorities in major jurisdictions include Canada (2019 onward), Hong Kong (2018 onward), China (2021 onward), Mexico (2019 onward), Poland (2018 onward), Hungary (2018 onward), U.K. (2017 onward) and Germany (2019 onward). We do not presently anticipate that our unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease over the next 12 months; however, actual developments in this area could differ from those currently expected.
20. Earnings Per Share
We present two calculations of earnings per common share. “Basic” earnings per common share equals net earnings attributable to SMP divided by weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. “Diluted” earnings per common share equals net earnings attributable to SMP divided by the sum of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares that are anti-dilutive are excluded from net earnings per common share.
The following are reconciliations of the net earnings attributable to SMP and the shares used in calculating basic and dilutive net earnings per common share attributable to SMP (in thousands, except per share data):
Year Ended December 31,
Net Earnings Attributable to SMP -
Earnings from continuing operations
$
63,144
$
73,042
$
99,353
Loss from discontinued operations
(28,996
)
(17,691
)
(8,467
)
Net earnings attributable to SMP
$
34,148
$
55,351
$
90,886
Basic Net Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to SMP -
Earnings from continuing operations per common share
$
2.91
$
3.37
$
4.49
Loss from discontinued operations per common share
(1.34
)
(0.82
)
(0.39
)
Net earnings per common share attributable to SMP
$
1.57
$
2.55
$
4.10
Weighted average common shares outstanding
21,716
21,684
22,147
Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to SMP -
Earnings from continuing operations per common share
$
2.85
$
3.30
$
4.39
Loss from discontinued operations per common share
(1.31
)
(0.80
)
(0.37
)
Net earnings per common share attributable to SMP
$
1.54
$
2.50
$
4.02
Weighted average common shares outstanding
21,716
21,684
22,147
Plus incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Dilutive effect of restricted stock and performance-based stock
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted
22,161
22,140
22,616
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The shares listed below were not included in the computation of diluted net earnings per common share attributable to SMP because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented or because they were excluded under the treasury method (in thousands):
Restricted and performance shares
21. Industry Segment and Geographic Data
Beginning on January 1, 2023, we reorganized our business into three operating segments - Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions. The new operating segment structure better aligns our operations with our strategic focus on diversifying our business, provides greater transparency into our positioning to capture opportunities for growth in the future, and provides clarity regarding the unique dynamics and margin profiles of the markets served by each segment.
Vehicle Control is the new name for our Engine Management operating segment. It includes our core automotive aftermarket business after carving out all non-aftermarket business to our Engineered Solutions operating segment. The Vehicle Control operating segment includes sales from ignition, emissions and fuel delivery, electrical and safety, and wire sets and other product categories.
Temperature Control is our ongoing automotive aftermarket operating segment, after the carve out of all non-aftermarket business to our Engineered Solutions operating segment. Temperature Control derives its sales from air conditioning system components and other thermal product categories. Our Temperature Control operating segment is poised to benefit from the broader adoption of more complex air conditioning systems that will provide passenger comfort regardless of the vehicle’s powertrain.
Engineered Solutions is a new operating segment created by carving out all non-aftermarket business from our prior Engine Management and Temperature Control operating segments. Our Engineered Solutions segment supplies custom-engineered solutions to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in highly diversified global end-markets such as commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports and marine.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 1).
The following tables contain financial information for each reportable operating segment (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Net sales (a):
Vehicle Control
$
737,932
$
750,571
$
737,431
Temperature Control
337,754
351,237
324,080
Engineered Solutions
282,586
270,007
237,305
Other
-
-
-
Total net sales
$
1,358,272
$
1,371,815
$
1,298,816
Depreciation and Amortization:
Vehicle Control
$
13,877
$
14,075
$
14,840
Temperature Control
3,424
2,973
3,345
Engineered Solutions
9,966
9,557
7,390
Other
1,755
1,693
1,668
Total depreciation and amortization
$
29,022
$
28,298
$
27,243
Operating income (loss):
Vehicle Control
$
71,327
$
74,153
$
97,029
Temperature Control
17,343
26,459
30,077
Engineered Solutions
19,944
18,713
19,982
Other
(15,937
)
(15,190
)
(18,089
)
Total operating income
$
92,677
$
104,135
$
128,999
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates:
Vehicle Control
$
2,496
$
2,490
$
2,729
Temperature Control
19,711
27,557
28,518
Engineered Solutions
1,843
11,698
12,840
Other
-
-
-
Total investment in unconsolidated affiliates
$
24,050
$
41,745
$
44,087
Capital expenditures:
Vehicle Control
$
13,955
$
13,378
$
17,048
Temperature Control
1,899
3,973
2,130
Engineered Solutions
12,095
6,489
5,354
Other
2,116
1,343
Total capital expenditures
$
28,633
$
25,956
$
25,875
Total assets:
Vehicle Control
$
620,569
$
618,789
$
604,016
Temperature Control
274,657
254,137
234,771
Engineered Solutions
292,080
289,518
272,791
Other
105,741
92,485
86,383
Total assets
$
1,293,047
$
1,254,929
$
1,197,961
(a)
There are no intersegment sales among our Vehicle Control, Temperature Control and Engineered Solutions operating segments.
Other consists of financial information related to the activities of our corporate headquarters function.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Reconciliation of segment operating income to net earnings:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Operating income
$
92,677
$
104,135
$
128,999
Other non-operating income, net
2,326
4,814
3,494
Interest expense
13,287
10,617
2,028
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
81,716
98,332
130,465
Provision for income taxes
18,368
25,206
31,044
Earnings from continuing operations
63,348
73,126
99,421
Discontinued operations, net of tax
(28,996
)
(17,691
)
(8,467
)
Net earnings
$
34,352
$
55,435
$
90,954
December 31,
Long-lived assets (a):
(In thousands)
United States
$
368,792
$
326,199
$
315,983
Asia
75,869
76,766
80,175
Europe
44,517
38,351
37,892
Mexico
13,262
10,355
12,119
Canada
5,851
7,161
4,461
Total long-lived assets
$
508,291
$
458,832
$
450,630
(a)
Long-lived assets are attributed to countries based upon the location of the assets.
Our three largest individual customers accounted for approximately 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2023. During 2023, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone and NAPA accounted for 29%, 16% and 14% of our consolidated net sales, respectively. Net sales from each of the customers were reported in our Vehicle Control and Temperature Control Segments. The loss of one or more of these customers or, a significant reduction in purchases of our products from any one of them could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any consolidation among our key customers may further increase our customer concentration risk.
For the disaggregation of our net sales from customers by major product group and geographic area within each of our operating segments, see Note 22, “Net Sales.”
22. Net Sales
Disaggregation of Net Sales
We disaggregate our net sales from contracts with customers by major product group and geographic area within each of our segments, as we believe it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our net sales are affected by economic factors.
Major Product Group
The Vehicle Control operating segment generates its revenues from core aftermarket sales of ignition, emissions, and fuel delivery, electrical and safety, and wire sets and other product categories. The Temperature Control operating segment generates its revenue from aftermarket sales of air conditioning system components and other thermal products. The Engineered Solutions operating segment generates revenues from custom-engineered products to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in highly diversified global end-markets such as commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports and marine.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes consolidated net sales by major product group within each operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Vehicle Control
Engine Management (Ignition, Emissions and Fuel Delivery)
$
450,180
$
454,571
$
444,196
Electrical and Safety
221,782
230,487
224,520
Wire Sets and Other
65,970
65,513
68,715
Total Vehicle Control
737,932
750,571
737,431
Temperature Control
AC System Components
237,756
245,484
231,466
Other Thermal Components
99,998
105,753
92,614
Total Temperature Control
337,754
351,237
324,080
Engineered Solutions
Commercial Vehicle
83,025
80,275
76,066
Construction/Agriculture
43,402
42,385
33,220
Light Vehicle
92,759
91,533
86,440
All Other
63,400
55,814
41,579
Total Engineered Solutions
282,586
270,007
237,305
Other
-
-
-
Total
$
1,358,272
$
1,371,815
$
1,298,816
Geographic Area
We sell our line of products primarily in the United States, with additional sales in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Sales are attributed to countries based upon the location of the customer. Our sales are substantially denominated in U.S. dollars.
The following tables provide disaggregation of net sales information by geographic area within each operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
Engineered
Solutions
Other
Total
Geographic Area:
United States
$
659,570
$
319,904
$
168,878
$
-
$
1,148,352
Canada
36,088
17,081
25,689
-
78,858
Europe
59,266
-
60,190
Mexico
36,350
6,658
-
43,057
Asia
19,522
-
20,399
Other foreign
4,657
2,573
-
7,416
Total
$
737,932
$
337,754
$
282,586
$
-
$
1,358,272
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
Engineered
Solutions
Other
Total
Geographic Area:
United States
$
682,145
$
335,281
$
191,678
$
-
$
1,209,104
Canada
35,233
14,596
16,762
-
66,591
Europe
37,784
-
38,520
Mexico
26,019
4,897
-
31,317
Asia
2,408
16,715
-
19,186
Other foreign
4,105
2,171
-
7,097
Total
$
750,571
$
351,237
$
270,007
$
-
$
1,371,815
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Vehicle
Control
Temperature
Control
Engineered
Solutions
Other
Total
Geographic Area:
United States
$
677,684
$
309,247
$
147,447
$
-
$
1,134,378
Canada
35,063
13,585
13,912
-
62,560
Europe
26,759
-
27,683
Mexico
19,741
5,547
-
25,646
Asia
40,771
-
41,016
Other foreign
4,028
2,869
-
7,533
Total
$
737,431
$
324,080
$
237,305
$
-
$
1,298,816
23. Commitments and Contingencies
Total rent expense for the three years ended December 31, 2023 was as follows (in thousands):
Total (1)
Real Estate
Other
$
19,706
$
15,735
$
3,971
14,135
11,385
2,750
12,065
9,500
2,565
(1)
Includes expenses of approximately $3.3 million, $2.7 million, and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to non-lease components such as maintenance, property taxes, etc., and operating lease expense for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, which is not material.
For our operating lease minimal rental payments that we are obligated to make, see Note 7, “Leases.”
Warranties
We generally warrant our products against certain manufacturing and other defects. These product warranties are provided for specific periods of time depending on the nature of the product. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we have accrued $21.1 million and $19.7 million, respectively, for estimated product warranty claims included in accrued customer returns. The accrued product warranty costs are based primarily on historical experience of actual warranty claims. Warranty expense for each of the years 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $120 million, $112.5 million and $91.9 million, respectively.
The following table provides the changes in our product warranties:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
19,667
$
17,463
Liabilities accrued for current year sales
120,027
112,477
Settlements of warranty claims
(118,560
)
(110,273
)
Balance, end of period
$
21,134
$
19,667
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had outstanding letters of credit with certain vendors aggregating approximately $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively. These letters of credit are being maintained as security for reimbursements to insurance companies and as security to the landlord of our administrative offices in Long Island City, New York. The contract amount of the letters of credit is a reasonable estimate of their value as the value for each is fixed over the life of the commitment.
Change of Control Arrangements
We have a change in control arrangement with one key officer. In the event of a change of control (as defined in the agreement), the executive will receive severance payments and certain other benefits as provided in his agreement.
Asbestos
In 1986, we acquired a brake business, which we subsequently sold in March 1998 and which is accounted for as a discontinued operation in the accompanying statement of operations. When we originally acquired this brake business, we assumed future liabilities relating to any alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the seller of the acquired brake business. In accordance with the related purchase agreement, we agreed to assume the liabilities for all new claims filed on or after September 2001. Our ultimate exposure will depend upon the number of claims filed against us on or after September 2001, and the amounts paid for settlements, awards of asbestos-related damages, and defense of such claims. At December 31, 2023, approximately 1,390 cases were outstanding for which we may be responsible for any related liabilities. Since inception in September 2001 through December 31, 2023, the amounts paid for settled claims and awards of asbestos-related damages, including interest, were approximately $74.6 million. We do not have insurance coverage for the indemnity and defense costs associated with the claims we face.
In evaluating our potential asbestos-related liability, we have considered various factors including, among other things, an actuarial study of the asbestos related liabilities performed by an independent actuarial firm, our settlement amounts and whether there are any co-defendants, the jurisdiction in which lawsuits are filed, and the status and results of such claims. As is our accounting policy, we consider the advice of actuarial consultants with experience in assessing asbestos-related liabilities to estimate our potential claim liability; and perform an actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. The methodology used to project asbestos-related liabilities and costs in our actuarial study considered: (1) historical data available from publicly available studies; (2) an analysis of our recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates into the future; (3) an analysis of our currently pending claims; (4) an analysis of our settlements and awards of asbestos-related damages to date; and (5) an analysis of closed claims with pay ratios and lag patterns in order to develop average future settlement values. Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we have concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages was more likely than any other and, therefore, in assessing our asbestos liability we compare the low end of the range to our recorded liability to determine if an adjustment is required.
Index
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In accordance with our policy to perform an annual actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year, an actuarial study was performed as of August 31, 2023. The results of the August 31, 2023 study included an estimate of our undiscounted liability for settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages, excluding legal costs, ranging from $84 million to $135.3 million for the period through 2065. The change from the prior year study, which was as of August 31, 2022, was a $15.2 million increase for the low end of the range and a $23.7 million increase for the high end of the range. The increase in the estimated undiscounted liability from the prior year study at both the low end and high end of the range reflects our actual experience, our historical data and certain assumptions with respect to events that may occur in the future.
Based upon the results of the August 31, 2023 actuarial study, in September 2023 we increased our asbestos liability to $84 million, the low end of the range, and recorded an incremental pre-tax provision of $23.8 million in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations. Future legal costs, which are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations, are estimated, according to the August 31, 2023 study, to range from $53.1 million to $105.2 million for the period through 2065. Total operating cash outflows related to discontinued operations, which include settlements, awards of asbestos-related damages and legal costs, net of taxes, were $11 million, $12 million and $8.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We plan to perform an annual actuarial evaluation during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. Given the uncertainties associated with projecting such matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we can give no assurance that additional provisions will not be required. We will continue to monitor events and changes in circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether to perform additional actuarial evaluations and whether additional provisions may be necessary. At the present time, however, we do not believe that any additional provisions would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or consolidated financial position.
Other Litigation
In connection with the aforementioned former brake business, we were subject to a legal proceeding alleging a breach of contract claim of the related purchase agreement. In May 2023, we were found liable for approximately $11 million and, as such, in the second quarter of 2023 we recorded a pre-tax provision of such amount in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations. However, in August 2023, we reached a final settlement of the legal proceeding, in which we reduced our liability to $10.5 million. In connection therewith, we reduced the pre-tax provision to $10.5 million and recorded a $0.5 million credit in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations. Payment of such claim was made in early October 2023.
We are currently involved in various other legal claims and legal proceedings (some of which may involve substantial amounts), including claims related to commercial disputes, product liability, employment, and environmental. Although these legal claims and legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We may at any time determine that settling any of these matters is in our best interests, which settlement may include substantial payments. Although we cannot currently predict the specific amount of any liability that may ultimately arise with respect to any of these matters, we will record provisions when the liability is considered probable and reasonably estimable. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. As additional information becomes available, we reassess our potential liability related to these matters. Such revisions of the potential liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Index

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

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure 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 SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Report. This evaluation also included consideration of our internal controls and procedures for the preparation of our financial statements as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.
(b)
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as part of this Report we have furnished a report regarding our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. The report is under the caption “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” which report in included herein.
(c)
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an opinion as to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. The opinion is under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm−Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for this attestation report, which is included herein.
(d)
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent to that date, we have not made changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We review, document and test our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework. We may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business. These efforts may lead to various changes in our internal control over financial reporting.
Index

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

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”) set forth under the captions “Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors,” “Management Information,” and “Corporate Governance.”
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all employees, officers and directors of the Company. The Company’s Code of Ethics is available at ir.smpcorp.com under “Governance Documents.” The Company intends to satisfy any disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Company’s Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by disclosing such information on the Company’s website, at the address specified above.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2024 Proxy Statement set forth under captions “Corporate Governance,” “Compensation Discussion & Analysis,” “Executive Compensation and Related Information” and “Report of the Compensation and Management Development Committee.”

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2024 Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation and Related Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2024 Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance” and “Executive Compensation and Related Information.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is KMPG LLP, New York, New York (PCAOB ID 185). All other information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2024 Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Audit and Non-Audit Fees.”
Index
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
(1)
The Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant under Item 8 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference as the list of Financial Statements required as part of this Report.
(2)
The following financial schedule and related report for the years 2023, 2022 and 2021 is submitted herewith:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3)
Exhibits.
The exhibit list in the Exhibit Index is incorporated by reference as the list of exhibits required as part of this Report.