EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 933034
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 933034_10-K_2021_0001564590-21-046790.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Basic Business
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive access control products including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, passive entry passive start systems (PEPS), steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power tailgate systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products for primarily North American automotive customers. We also supply global automotive manufacturers through a unique strategic relationship with WITTE Automotive (“WITTE”) of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Plastics Inc., doing business as ADAC Automotive (“ADAC”), of Grand Rapids, Michigan called VAST Automotive Group (“VAST”). Under this unique strategic relationship STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market the products of each company to global customers under the “VAST Automotive Group” brand name (as more fully described under Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC herein). STRATTEC products are shipped to customer locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Korea, China and India, and we, along with our VAST LLC partners, provide full service and aftermarket support for each VAST Automotive Group partners’ products.
History
The product line that became STRATTEC was part of Briggs & Stratton Corporation’s founding business in 1908. In 1995, STRATTEC was spun off from Briggs & Stratton through a tax-free distribution to the then-existing Briggs & Stratton shareholders and has been an independent public company for over twenty-six years.
Our history in the automotive security business spans over 110 years. STRATTEC has been the world’s largest producer of automotive locks and keys since the late 1920s, and we currently maintain a significant share of the North American markets for these products.
Products
Our traditional products are lock sets (locks and keys) for cars and light trucks. Typically, two keys are provided with each vehicle lockset. Most of the vehicles we currently supply are using keys with sophisticated radio frequency identification technology for additional theft prevention. Keys with remote entry devices integrated into a single unit and bladeless electronic keys as well as turn-key passive entry passive start systems (PEPS) have been added to our product line and are gaining in popularity.
Ignition lock housings represent another access control product for us. These housings are the mating part for our ignition locks and typically are part of the steering column structure, although there are instrument panel-mounted versions for certain vehicle applications. These housings are either die cast from zinc or injection molded plastic and may include electronic components for theft deterrent systems.
We have developed and are continuing to develop access control products, including trunk latches, lift gate latches, tailgate latches, hood latches, side door latches and related hardware. With our acquisition of Delphi Corporation’s Power Products Group in fiscal 2009, we are now supplying power access devices for sliding side doors, tailgates, lift gates and trunk lids. Through a joint venture formed with ADAC Automotive during fiscal 2007, we also supply painted and non-painted door handles and components and related vehicle access hardware.
In recent years, more and more vehicle access systems have moved from purely mechanical components to integrated electro-mechanical systems. STRATTEC has been at the forefront of this new technology, working with Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEMs) product development and purchasing groups to provide cost-effective, innovative solutions to the challenges facing our customers.
STRATTEC’s customer-focused structure and formalized product development process helps us identify and meet customer needs in the shortest time possible. From concept and design, through implementation and into the aftermarket, STRATTEC delivers products that provide the optimum value solution to security and access control requirements. We have a comprehensive Products & Solutions portfolio that can be viewed on our website at www.strattec.com (see “Available Information” below for additional information).
To maintain a strong focus on each of these access control products, we have Product Business Managers who oversee the product’s entire life cycle, including product concept, application, manufacturing, warranty analysis, service/aftermarket, and financial/commercial issues. The Product Business Managers work closely with our sales organization, our engineering group, and our manufacturing operations to ensure their products are receiving the right amount of quality attention so that their value to STRATTEC and the market place is enhanced.
Markets
We are a direct supplier to OEM automotive and light truck manufacturers as well as other transportation-related manufacturers. Our largest customers are Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company. Our access control product mix varies by customer, but generally our overall sales tend to be highest in lock and key, including aftermarket produced by STRATTEC de Mexico, followed by door handles and trim components produced by ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico, power access products produced by STRATTEC Power Access de Mexico, and latch mechanisms and ignition lock housing components produced by STRATTEC de Mexico. See Operations discussion included herein for further description.
Direct sales to various OEMs represented approximately 79% and 77% of our total sales for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. The remainder of our revenue is received primarily through sales to the OEM service channels, the aftermarket and Tier 1 automotive supplier customers, and sales of certain products to non-automotive commercial customers.
Sales to our major automotive customers, both OEM and Tier 1, are coordinated through direct sales personnel located in our Detroit-area office. Sales are also facilitated through daily interaction between our Program Managers, Application Engineers and other product engineering personnel. Sales to other OEM customers are accomplished through a combination of our sales personnel located in Detroit and personnel in our Milwaukee headquarters office.
The majority of our OEM products are sold in North America. While some exporting is done to Tier 1 and automotive assembly plants in Europe, Asia and South America, we are in the process of expanding our presence in these markets and elsewhere through the Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (VAST LLC) joint venture we jointly own with WITTE Automotive and ADAC Automotive. VAST is described in more detail on pages 4, 5, 44 and 45 in this Form 10-K.
OEM service and replacement parts are sold to the OEM’s own service operations. In addition, we distribute our components and security products to the automotive aftermarket through approximately 50 authorized wholesale distributors, as well as other marketers and users of component parts, including export customers. Increasingly, our products find their way into the retail channel, specifically the hardware store channel. Our ability to provide a full line of keys to that channel has been accomplished through the introduction of the STRATTEC “XL” key line. This extension to our product line includes keys that we currently do not supply on an OEM basis, including keys for Toyota, Honda and other popular domestic and import vehicles. This extended line of keys enables automotive repair specialists to satisfy consumer needs for repair or replacement parts. Our aftermarket activities are serviced through a warehousing operation in El Paso, Texas.
Customer Sales Focus
To bring the proper focus to the relationships with our major customers, we have six customer-focused teams, each with a Director of Sales, one or two Engineering Program Managers and various Customer Application Engineers. In addition to customer teams for General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, we currently have teams for New Domestic Vehicle Manufacturers (primarily the Japanese and Korean automotive manufactures), Driver Control/Ignition Lock Housing customers, Tier 1 customers, and Service and Aftermarket customers. Sales and engineering for ADAC-STRATTEC LLC (described in greater detail below) are supported by our partner in this joint venture, ADAC Automotive.
Each Sales Director is responsible for the overall relationship between STRATTEC and a specific customer group. Program Managers are responsible for coordinating cross functional activities while managing new product programs for their customers.
Product Engineering Focus
To best serve our customers’ product needs, STRATTEC’s engineering resources are organized into groups which focus on specific access control applications. We currently have six engineering groups: Locks and Keys, Aftermarket, Latches, Power Access Devices, Driver Control/Ignition Lock Housings and Electrical. Each group has a Product Business Manager, an Engineering Manager and a complement of skilled engineers who design and develop products for specific applications. In doing this, each engineering group works closely with both the customer and product teams, Engineering Program Managers, and Application Engineers.
Underlying this organization is a formalized product development process to identify and meet customer needs in the shortest possible time. By following this streamlined development system, we shorten product lead times, tighten our response to market changes and provide our customers with the optimum value solution to their security/access control requirements. STRATTEC is also IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 14001 certified. This means we embrace the philosophy that quality should exist not only in the finished product, but in every step of our processes as well.
Operations
A significant number of the components that go into our products are manufactured at our headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This facility produces zinc die cast components, stampings and milled key blades. We have three owned production facilities currently in operation in Juarez, Mexico operating as STRATTEC de Mexico. Plant No. 1 houses key finishing and assembly operations for locksets and ignition lock housings. Plant No. 2 houses our key molding and plastic injection molding operations for door handles and components, as well as containing dedicated space for the assembly operations of ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico. Plant No. 3 houses both latch and power access assembly operations for STRATTEC Power Access de Mexico. Plant No. 4 is in Leon, Mexico and houses our custom paint system for door handles and assembly for ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico and is owned by the ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico joint venture.
Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC
In fiscal 2001, we entered into a formal alliance with WITTE-Velbert GmbH, an automotive supplier based in Germany which designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive access control products for European-based customers. This alliance consisted of two initiatives. The first was a set of legal agreements which allowed STRATTEC to manufacture and market WITTE’s core products in North America, and WITTE to manufacture and market STRATTEC’s core products in Europe. The second initiative was a 50:50 joint venture, WITTE-STRATTEC LLC, to invest in operations with local partners in strategic markets outside of Europe and North America.
In February of 2006, we announced the expansion of this alliance and related joint venture with the addition of a third partner, ADAC Plastics, Inc. ADAC, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, adds North American expertise in door handles, a part of WITTE’s core product line that STRATTEC did not support, and an expertise in color-matched painting of these components.
With the expansion of the alliance, we can offer a full range of access control related products available on a global basis to support customer programs. To identify this powerful combination of independent companies focused on working together, we renamed the joint venture Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (VAST LLC). We now refer to the combination of the alliance structure and joint venture as “VAST Automotive Group” (VAST). WITTE is now called WITTE Automotive, and ADAC is now doing business as ADAC Automotive. We have adopted a common graphic image in which we share a logo mark and colors, and a specific VAST logo used on the partners’ printed and electronic presentation materials. What is now VAST made investments with a local partner in Brazil in September, 2001, and local partners in China in March, 2002. However, during fiscal 2010, VAST LLC purchased the remaining 40 percent interest of its local partners in the China venture. VAST China is now wholly owned by VAST LLC and had annual net sales of approximately $209.0 million and $152 million during fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. This was an important step which gives STRATTEC a one-third interest in VAST China’s activities in the important growing Chinese/Asian market for manufacturing and assembly of painted door handles, locksets and latch products. VAST China currently operates out of two manufacturing facilities in Taicang and Jingzhou, China. The Fuzhou, China facility closed during our fiscal 2021, and the land and building are currently for sale. In March, 2014, VAST LLC purchased the remaining 49 percent interest of its local partner in Brazil, which had annual net sales of approximately $1.5 million and $1.4 million during fiscal years 2021 and 2020, respectively.
On April 30, 2015 VAST LLC executed a purchase agreement to become a 50:50 Joint Venture partner with Minda Management Services Limited, an affiliate of both Minda Corporation Limited and Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group of New Delhi, India (collectively, “Minda”). As part of this transaction, VAST acquired a fifty percent equity interest in the former Minda-Valeo Security Systems joint venture entity, based in Pune, India. This joint venture entity was renamed Minda-VAST Access Systems (“Minda-VAST”). Minda-VAST has operations in Pune and Delhi and had annual sales of approximately $23.8 million and $18.0 million during fiscal years 2021 and 2020, respectively. Minda is a leading manufacturer of security & access products and handles, for both OEMs and the aftermarket in India. Minda-VAST financial results are accounted for on the equity method of accounting by VAST LLC.
For further VAST LLC financial information, see “Equity Earnings (Loss) of Joint Ventures” included in Notes to Financial Statements under Item 8 in this Form 10-K.
VAST is the embodiment of STRATTEC’s, WITTE’s and ADAC’s globalization strategy. We are developing VAST as a global brand with which we are jointly pursuing business with identified global customers. Those identified customers are General Motors, Ford, Fiat/Chrysler, Volkswagen, Honda, Volvo, Renault/Nissan and Hyundai/Kia.
To manage our customer relationships and coordinate global ventures and activities, we have established a VAST Management Group led by a President. The Management Group includes three Vice Presidents, one each from WITTE, STRATTEC and ADAC. With the focus provided by this Management Group, VAST is able to manage global programs with a single point of contact for customers, with the added advantage of providing regional support from the partners’ operating entities. Combined with VAST LLC’s ventures in China and Brazil, and sales/engineering offices in Japan and Korea, this structure establishes our global footprint.
STRATTEC de MEXICO
We have formed STRATTEC de Mexico as a wholly owned subsidiary of STRATTEC to own and operate three production facilities in Juarez, Mexico. At these three facilities we house our assembly operations for locksets and ignition lock housings, our key finishing and plastic injection molding operations, our assembly operations for ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico noted below and our latch and power access assembly operations for STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de Mexico noted below.
ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and ADAC-STRATTEC de MEXICO
During fiscal 2007, we formed a new entity with ADAC Automotive called ADAC-STRATTEC LLC including a wholly owned Mexican subsidiary ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico (collectively, ASdM). The purpose of this joint venture is to produce certain ADAC and STRATTEC products utilizing ADAC’s plastic molding injection expertise and STRATTEC’s assembly capability. ASdM currently operates out of defined space in STRATTEC de Mexico Plant No. 2 located in Juarez, Mexico. Products from this joint venture include non-painted door handle components and exterior trim components for OEM customers producing in North America. STRATTEC owns 51% of this joint venture and its financial results are consolidated into STRATTEC’s financial statements. In our fiscal years ending 2021 and 2020, ASdM was profitable and represented $126.2 million and $98.2 million, respectively, of our consolidated net sales. STRATTEC de Mexico Plant No. 4 is in Leon, Mexico and houses our custom paint system for door handles and assembly for ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico.
STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de MEXICO
During fiscal year 2009, we formed a new subsidiary with WITTE Automotive called STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC (SPA) to acquire the North American business of the Delphi Power Products Group. WITTE is a 20 percent minority owner. SPA in turn owns 100 percent of a Mexican subsidiary, STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de Mexico. The purpose of this subsidiary is to produce power access devices for sliding side doors, lift gates and trunk lids. STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de Mexico currently operates out of defined space in STRATTEC de Mexico Plant No. 3 located in Juarez, Mexico. Financial results for SPA are consolidated in STRATTEC’s financial statements. For fiscal year 2021, SPA was profitable and represented $95.2 million of our consolidated net sales. For fiscal year 2020, SPA was unprofitable due to the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19) and represented $63.8 million of our net sales.
Seasonal Nature of the Business
The manufacturing of components used in automobiles is driven by the normal peaks and valleys associated with the automotive industry. Typically, the months of July and August are relatively slow as summer vacation shutdowns and model year changeovers occur at the automotive assembly plants. September volumes increase rapidly as each new model year begins. This volume strength continues through October and into early November. As the holiday and winter seasons approach, the demand for automobiles slows, as does production. March usually brings a major sales and production increase, which then continues through most of June. This results in our first fiscal quarter sales and operating results typically being our weakest, with the remaining quarters being more consistent.
Vehicle List
2022 Vehicles
We are proud to be associated with many of the quality vehicles produced in North America and elsewhere.
The following cars and light trucks are equipped with STRATTEC components during our 2022 fiscal year:
PASSENGER CARS
Acura NSX
Cadillac XT6
Ford Mustang
Aston Martin DB 11*
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Honda Accord
Aston Martin DBX *
Chevrolet Camaro
Honda Civic
Aston Martin Rapide *
Chevrolet Corvette
Maserati Ghibli *
Aston Martin Vanquish*
Chevrolet Malibu
Maserati MC *
Aston Martin Vantage *
Chevrolet Onix *
Maserati Quattroporte *
Buick Excelle *
Chrysler 300
Opel Astra *
Buick LaCrosse *
Dodge Challenger
Opel Corsa*
Buick Regal *
Dodge Charger
Open Insignia *
Cadillac ATS *
Ford Focus *
Volkswagen Jetta
Cadillac CT6*
Ford GT
Cadillac Lyriq
Ford Mondeo*
LIGHT TRUCKS, VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES
Acura MDX
Dodge Durango
Honda CRV
Acura RDX
Ford Bronco Sport
Honda RDX
Brightdrop EV600
Ford Edge
Honda Odyssey
Buick Enclave
Ford Escape
Hyundai Starex *
Cadillac Escalade &
Ford Expedition
Jeep Cherokee
Escalade ESV
Ford Explorer
Jeep Compass
Cadillac XT4
Ford F-Series Pickup
Jeep Gladiator
Cadillac XT5
Ford F-Series Super Duty
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Chevrolet Blazer
Pickup
Jeep Wrangler/Wrangler
Chevrolet Colorado *
Ford Lightning
Unlimited
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Maverick Pickup
Kia Sedona *
Chevrolet Express Van
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Lincoln Avaitor
Chevrolet Silverado &
Ford Ranger Pickup
Lincoln Corsair
Silverado HD Pickup
Ford Transit Connect *
Lincoln Nautilus
Chevrolet Suburban
GMC Acadia
Lincoln Navigator
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Canyon *
Maserati Levante *
Chevrolet Tracker *
GMC Hummer EV
Opel Mokka *
Chevrolet Trail Blazer *
GMC Savana
Ram 1500 Pickup
Chevrolet Trax *
GMC Sierra & Sierra HD
Ram 1500 Classic Pickup
Chevrolet Traverse
Pickup
Volkswagen Tiguan
Chrysler Pacifica
GMC Terrain
Chrysler Voyager
GMC Yukon and Yukon XL
* Vehicles produced outside of North America, or both in and outside North America.
Emerging Technologies
Automotive vehicle access systems, which are both theft deterrent and consumer friendly, are trending toward electro-mechanical and connected devices. Electronic companies are developing user identification systems such as bio-systems, card holder (transmitter) systems, etc., while mechanical locks, keys, housings, and latches are evolving to accommodate electronics. We believe we are positioning ourselves as a vehicle access control supplier by building our product, engineering and manufacturing expertise in the required electro-mechanical products, which include vehicle access latches, keys with remote entry electronic systems, ignition interface systems with passive start and phone as a key (PaaK) capabilities. In both 2018 and 2019, we were awarded the Automotive News Pace Award for Excellence and Innovation for our Invis-A-RiseTM Power Liftgate and Invis-A-RiseTM Power Tailgate products. As the automotive industry continues developing various levels of autonomous vehicles, we believe that we are well positioned to continue the development and incorporation of power sliding doors, power tailgates and other consumer convenience features into these types of vehicles.
These technologies benefit us by increasing our potential customer base as a Tier 2 supplier while maintaining our Tier 1 status on some product lines and by adding additional product line availability.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Our primary raw materials are high-grade zinc, brass, nickel silver, steel, aluminum, plastic resins and semiconductor chips and other electronics. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but we have chosen to concentrate our sourcing with one primary vendor for each commodity. We believe our sources for raw materials are very reliable and adequate for our needs. We have not experienced any significant long term supply problems in our operations and do not anticipate any significant supply problems in the foreseeable future. See further discussion under “Risk Factors-Sources of and Fluctuations in Market Prices of Raw Materials” included under Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property
We believe that the success of our business will not only result from the technical competence, creativity and marketing abilities of our employees but also from the protection of our intellectual property through patents, trademarks and copyrights. As part of our ongoing research, development and manufacturing activities, we have a policy of seeking patents on new products, processes and improvements when appropriate.
Although, in the aggregate, the intellectual property discussed herein are of considerable importance to the manufacturing and marketing of many of our access control products, we do not consider any single patent or trademark or group of related patents or trademarks to be material to our business as a whole, except for the STRATTEC and STRATTEC with logo trademarks.
We also rely upon trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information. We maintain confidentiality agreements with our key executives. In addition, we enter into confidentiality agreements with selected suppliers, consultants and employees as appropriate to evaluate new products or business relationships pertinent to our success. However, there can be no assurance that others will not independently obtain similar information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or that we can effectively protect our trade secrets.
Dependence Upon Significant Customers
A very significant portion of our annual sales are to General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. These three customers accounted for approximately 62 percent of our net sales in both 2021 and in 2020. Further information regarding sales to our largest customers is set forth under the caption “Risk Factors - Loss of Significant Customers, Vehicle Content, Vehicle Models and Market Share” and “Risk Factors - Production Slowdowns by Customers” included under Item 1A of this Form 10-K and “Notes to Financial Statements-Sales and Receivable Concentration” included in Notes to Financial Statements under Item 8 in this Form 10-K.
The products sold to these customers are model specific, fitting only certain defined applications. Consequently, we are highly dependent on our major customers for their business, and on these customers' ability to produce and sell vehicles which utilize our products. We have enjoyed good relationships with General Motors Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Company and other customers in the past, and expect to continue to do so in the future. However, a significant change in the purchasing practices of, or a significant loss of volume from, one or more of these customers could have a detrimental effect on our financial performance. We cannot provide any assurance that any lost sales volume could be replaced despite our historical relationships with our customers.
Sales and Marketing; Backlog
We provide our customers with engineered access control products including locksets, fobs, push button passive entry passive start ignition systems, steering column lock housings, electromechanical latches, power sliding door systems, power tailgate systems, power liftgate systems, power decklids, painted and non-painted door handles, door handle components and trim and other access products which are unique to specific vehicles. Any given vehicle will typically take 1 to 3 years of development and engineering design time prior to being offered to the public. The access control products are designed concurrently with the vehicle. Therefore, commitment to STRATTEC as the production source for such products and components occurs 1 to 3 years prior to the start of production for such components. We employ an engineering staff that assists in providing design and technical solutions to our customers. We believe that our engineering expertise is a competitive advantage and contributes toward our strong market position in our industry. For example, we regularly provide innovative design proposals for our product offerings to our customers that we believe will improve customer access, vehicle security system quality, theft deterrence and system cost.
The typical process used by automotive manufacturers in selecting a supplier for access control products is to offer the business opportunity to us and several of our competitors. Each competitor will pursue the opportunity, doing its best to provide the customer with the most attractive proposal. Price pressure is strong during this process but once an agreement is reached, a commitment is made for each year of the product program. Typically, price reductions resulting from productivity improvement by STRATTEC over the life of the product program are included in the contract and are estimated in evaluating each of these opportunities. A blanket purchase order, a contract indicating a specified part will be supplied at a specified price during a defined time period, is issued by customers for each model year. Production quantity releases or quantity commitments are made to that purchase order for weekly deliveries to the customer. As a consequence and because we are a "Just-in-Time" supplier to the automotive industry, we do not maintain a backlog of orders in the classic sense for future production and shipment and, accordingly, we are unable to provide a meaningful backlog comparison from year to year.
Competition
We compete with domestic and foreign-based competitors on the basis of custom product design, engineering support, quality, delivery and price. While the number of direct competitors in our product markets is currently relatively small, the automotive manufacturers actively encourage competition between potential suppliers. We have a large share of the North American market for our access control products because of our ability to provide optimal value, which is a beneficial combination of price, quality, technical support, program management, innovation and aftermarket support. In order to reduce access control product production costs while still offering a wide range of technical support, we utilize assembly operations and certain light manufacturing operations in Mexico, which results in lower labor costs as compared to the United States.
As locks and keys become more sophisticated and involve additional electronics, competitors with specific electronic expertise may emerge to challenge us. To address this, we have in recent years strengthened our electrical engineering knowledge and service. We are also working with several electronics suppliers to jointly develop and supply these advanced products.
Our lockset, steering column lock housing, latches and power access competitors include Huf North America, Ushin, Valeo, Tokai-Rika, Alpha-Tech, Honda Lock, Shin Chang, Magna, Edscha, Stabilus, Aisin, Brose, Mitsuba, Ohi, Kiekert, Inteva, Novares and Gecom. For additional information related to competition, see the information set forth under “Risk Factors-Highly Competitive Automotive Supply Industry” included under Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
Research and Development
We engage in research and development activities pertinent to automotive access control. A major area of focus for research is the expanding role of vehicle access via electronic interlocks and modes of communicating authorization data between consumers and vehicles. Development activities include new products, applications and product performance improvements. In addition, specialized data collection equipment is developed to facilitate increased product development efficiency and continuous quality improvements. For fiscal years 2021 and 2020, we incurred approximately $10.8 million and $9.8 million, respectively, on research and development. We believe that, historically, we have committed sufficient resources to research and development and we intend to continue to invest in the future as required to support additional product programs associated with both existing and new customers. Patents are pursued and will continue to be pursued as appropriate to protect our interests resulting from these activities.
Customer Tooling
We incur costs related to tooling used in component production and assembly. Some of these costs are reimbursed by customers who then own the tools involved. See the information set forth under “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Customer Tooling in Progress” included in Notes to Financial Statements under Item 8 in this Form 10-K.
Environmental Compliance
As is the case with other manufacturers, we are subject to Federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements relating to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of our manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended), the Clean Water Act of 1990 (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended). We have an environmental management system that is ISO-14001 certified. We believe that our existing environmental management system is adequate and we have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in the environmental area.
As discussed in “Commitments and Contingencies” under Notes to Financial Statement under Item 8 in this Form 10-K, a site at our Milwaukee facility is contaminated by a solvent spill from a former above-ground solvent storage tank located on the east side of the facility, which spill occurred in 1985. We continue to monitor this situation.
We do not currently anticipate any materially adverse impact on our financial statements or competitive position as a result of compliance with Federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws or other legal requirements. However, risk of environmental liability and charges associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of our business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or charges could not arise.
Human Capital
At June 27, 2021, we had approximately 3,752 associates worldwide, of which approximately 494 were employed in the United States and approximately 3,258 were employed outside of the United States. Approximately 204 or 5.4 percent were represented by a collective bargaining agreement, all of whom are our production associates at our Milwaukee, Wisconsin facility. In recent years, we have not experienced any significant work slowdowns, stoppages or other labor disruptions. The current contract with the unionized associates is effective through September 17, 2021.
We are guided by our “Values and Beliefs” mission statement that focuses on Empowerment, Communication, Citizenship, Enterprise, Change and Consensus. We remain committed to areas of work place safety, product quality and customer satisfaction. Successful execution of our mission is dependent on attracting, developing and retaining key associates and members of our management team, as well as providing competitive pay and benefits.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, STRATTEC has generally maintained its headcount as we accommodated our operations to the virus environment. We have taken what we believe to be appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of our associates and permitted remote working.
Social Responsibility
We are committed to conducting business and making decisions honestly, fairly and within the law, and are guided by our “Values and Beliefs” mission statement. We are dedicated to earning and keeping the trust and confidence of our shareholders, customers and associates as well as the communities where we do business.
Our “Code of Business Ethics” provides guidelines and a framework for conducting business in an ethical manner. These beliefs go beyond STRATTEC and are expected of our suppliers as detailed in our “Supplier Code of Conduct.” We have adopted policies that seek to eliminate human trafficking, slavery, child labor etc. from our global supply chain. In addition, we annually comply and file a Form SD with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding “Conflict Minerals Disclosure and Report” as directed by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. The purpose of this report is to help prevent products used to finance or benefit armed groups in the covered countries of this filing.
Our commitment to our environment is documented in our “Environmental Management System,” which provides for continuous improvement of our efforts toward preventing pollution, complying with relevant environmental legislation and regulations and complying with customer-based environmental regulations. In addition, we maintain our own IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 14001 annual certifications, which are globally recognized quality standards for the automotive industry.
Available Information
We maintain our corporate website at www.strattec.com and make available, free of charge, through this website our code of business ethics, annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings and amendments to those reports that we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Commission. We are not including all the information contained on or made available through our website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, this report includes (or incorporates by reference) all material information about STRATTEC that is included on our website which is otherwise required to be included in this report.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
We recognize we are subject to the following risk factors based on our operations and the nature of the automotive industry in which we operate:
RISK RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS AND OTHER HEALTH EPIDEMICS
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our operations and supply chains, in particular related to semiconductor chips, and we have experienced and may continue to experience reductions in demand for certain of our products and services as a result of the pandemic. Because we manufacture our products in facilities around the world, including in Mexico and through our joint venture partners in Europe, China and India, we have been and may continue to be vulnerable to an outbreak of COVID-19 (or the resurgence of such an outbreak) or other contagious diseases in those regions as well as in the United States. The effects of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases have included and may continue to include disruptions or restrictions on our ability to travel, our ability to manufacture our affected products and our ability to ship these affected products to customers as well as disruptions that have and may continue to affect our key customers and suppliers, including those in these regions or other affected regions of the world, including in the United States, Mexico, China and neighboring countries. Current and future disruption of our ability to manufacture or distribute our products or of the ability of our customers to take orders of our products or our suppliers to deliver key raw materials on a timely basis has had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our sales and operating results. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak (or a worsening of this outbreak) and future outbreaks of contagious diseases in the human population has resulted in and could continue to result in a widespread health crisis that adversely affects the economies and financial markets of many countries (including those where we operate or where our products are ultimately used), resulting in an economic downturn that has and could continue to affect demand for our products and impact our operating results.
We have been adhering to guidelines and mandates from governmental and health organizations in the territories that we have locations and production facilities, and have implemented various risk mitigation plans to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. To that end, we have encouraged working remotely where applicable, adopted social distancing where appropriate, implemented travel restrictions, and we are taking actions to ensure that locations and facilities are cleaned and sanitized regularly. All of these actions may impact our operations and profitability. Further, we have complied with and may be required to comply with additional foreign, national, state or local governmental authority recommendations, guidelines, and/or mandates, which have resulted in and may result in additional temporary reduction in or suspension in work at certain of our locations and production facilities. All of these additional actions have and may continue to adversely impact our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
BUSINESS RISKS
Loss of Significant Customers, Vehicle Content, Vehicle Models and Market Share - Sales to General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles represented approximately 62 percent of our annual net sales (based on fiscal 2021 results) and, accordingly, these customers account for a significant percentage of our outstanding accounts receivable. The contracts with these customers provide for supplying the customer’s requirements for a particular model. The contracts do not specify a specific quantity of parts. The contracts typically cover the life of a model, which averages approximately four to five years. Components for certain customer models may also be “market tested” annually. Therefore, the loss of any one of these customers, the loss of a contract for a specific vehicle model, a reduction in vehicle content, the early cancellation of a specific vehicle model, technological changes or a significant reduction in demand for certain key models could occur, and if so, could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
Our major customers also have significant under-funded legacy liabilities related to pension and postretirement health care obligations. The loss in our major customers’ North American automotive market share to the New Domestic automotive manufacturers (primarily the Japanese and Korean automotive manufacturers) and/or a significant decline in the overall market demand for new vehicles may ultimately result in severe financial difficulty for these customers, including bankruptcy. If our major customers cannot fund their operations, we may incur significant write-offs of accounts receivable, incur impairment charges or require restructuring actions.
Production Slowdowns by Customers - Our major customers and many of their suppliers were significantly impacted by the Great Recession of 2008/2009, by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2021. Many of our major customers instituted production cuts during our fiscal 2009 and 2010 due to the Great Recession and shuttered plants during 2020 and 2021 in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the semiconductor chip shortage. While production subsequently increased after the cuts made in 2009 and again in 2021 when plants reopened from the COVID-19 closures, the current semiconductor chip shortage and additional economic slowdowns, pandemics or part supply shortages could bring about new production cuts which could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
Cross-border Trade Issues or Tariffs - Our business is impacted by international or cross-border trade, including the import and export of products and goods into and out of the United States and trade tensions among nations. The shipping of goods across national borders is often more expensive and complicated than domestic shipping. Customs and duty procedures and reviews,
including duty-free thresholds in various key markets, the application of tariffs, and security related governmental processes at international borders, may increase costs, discourage cross-border purchases, delay transit and create shipping uncertainties. Further, uncertainties stemming from changes in U.S. trade policies in particular with European countries and China, tariffs and the reaction of other countries thereto, could have an adverse effect on our business and may adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows or reduce profitability on certain of our products.
Highly Competitive Automotive Supply Industry - The automotive component supply industry is highly competitive. Some of our competitors are companies, or divisions or subsidiaries of companies, that are larger than STRATTEC and have greater financial, global and technology capabilities. Our products may not be able to compete successfully with the products of these other companies, which could result in loss of customers and, as a result, decreased sales and profitability. Some of our major customers have previously announced that they will be reducing their supply base. This could potentially result in the loss of these customers and consolidation within the supply base. The loss of any of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In addition, our competitive position in the North American automotive component supply industry could be adversely affected in the event that we are unsuccessful in making strategic investments, acquisitions or alliances or in establishing joint ventures that would enable us to expand globally, in particular, with the VAST Automotive Group and their ability to fund and service global vehicle platforms. We principally compete for new business at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models by our major customers. New model development generally begins two to five years prior to the marketing of such new models to the public. The failure to obtain new business on new models or to retain or increase business on redesigned existing models could adversely affect our business and financial results. In addition, as a result of relatively long lead times for many of our components, it may be difficult in the short-term for us to obtain new sales to replace any unexpected decline in the sale of existing products. Finally, we may incur significant product development expense in preparing to meet anticipated customer requirements which may not be recovered.
Cyclicality and Seasonality in the Automotive Market - The automotive market is cyclical and is dependent on consumer spending, on the availability of consumer credit and to a certain extent, on customer sales incentives. Economic factors adversely affecting consumer demand for automobiles and automotive production, such as rising fuel costs, could adversely impact our net sales and net income. We typically experience decreased sales and operating income during the first fiscal quarter of each year due to the impact of scheduled customer plant shut-downs in July and new model changeovers during that period.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Shortage of Raw Materials or Components Supply - In the event of catastrophic acts of nature such as fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes and global pandemics or a rapid increase in production demands, either we or our customers or other suppliers may experience supply shortages of raw materials or components. This could be caused by a number of factors, including a lack of production line capacity or manpower or working capital constraints. In order to manage and reduce the costs of purchased goods and services, we and others within our industry have been rationalizing and consolidating our supply base. As a result, there is greater dependence on fewer sources of supply for certain components and materials used in our products, which could increase the possibility of a supply shortage of any particular component. If any of our customers experience a material supply shortage, either directly or as a result of supply shortages at another supplier, that customer may halt or limit the purchase of our products. Similarly, if we or one of our own suppliers experience a supply shortage, we may become unable to produce the affected products if we cannot procure the components from another source. Such production interruptions could impede a ramp-up in vehicle production and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We consider the production capacities and financial condition of suppliers in our selection process, and expect that they will meet our delivery requirements. However, there can be no assurance that strong demand, capacity limitations, shortages of raw materials, labor disputes or other problems will not result in any shortages or delays in the supply of components to us.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced supply chain disruptions in fiscal 2021 in particular with semiconductor chip shortages that impact our OEM customers’ ability to finish assembly of new vehicles and which have adversely impacted our results of operations and cash flows. These shortages will most likely continue into our fiscal 2022.
Sources of and Fluctuations in Market Prices of Raw Materials - Our primary raw materials are high-grade zinc, brass, nickel silver, aluminum, steel and plastic resins. These materials are generally available from a limited number of suppliers, but we have chosen to concentrate our sourcing with one primary vendor for each commodity or purchased component. We believe our sources of raw materials are reliable and adequate for our needs. However, the development of future sourcing issues related to using existing or alternative raw materials and the global availability of these materials as well as significant fluctuations in the market prices of these materials may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows if the increased raw material costs cannot be recovered from our customers. During fiscal 2021, we experienced higher raw material costs on the items listed above including freight costs on both raw material and purchased components.
Given the significant financial impact on us relating to changes in the cost of our primary raw materials, commencing with fiscal 2008 and thereafter, we began quoting quarterly material price adjustments for changes in our zinc costs in our negotiations with our customers. Our success in obtaining these quarterly price adjustments in our customer contracts is dependent on separate negotiations with each customer. It is not a standard practice for our customers to include such price adjustments in their contracts. We have been successful in obtaining quarterly price adjustments in some of our customer contracts. However, we have not been successful in obtaining the adjustments with all of our customers.
Foreign Operations - We own and operate manufacturing operations in Mexico. As discussed below under “Investment in Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries” included in Notes to Financial Statements under Item 8 in this Form 10-K, we also have joint venture and majority owned investments in Mexico, Brazil, China and India. As these operations continue to expand, their success will depend, in part, on our and our partners’ ability to anticipate and effectively manage certain risks inherent in international operations, including: enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems, payment cycles of foreign customers, compliance with foreign tax laws, general economic and political conditions in these countries and compliance with foreign laws and regulations. The success of these joint venture operations may be impacted by our partners’ ability to influence business decisions and therefore the operating results of the joint ventures could be adversely impacted. These influences, as well as conflicts or disagreements with our joint venture partners, could negatively impact the operations, financial results, financial condition and cash flows of our joint venture investments, which could have an adverse impact on our financial results, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, failure of our partners to be able to continue to fund their portion of the joint venture operations could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and financial results of our joint venture investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. The joint venture investments in China generated losses in 2012 and 2013 due to relocation costs associated with moves to a new facility and start-up costs associated with a new product line. These relocation costs and start-up costs have been financed internally and externally by VAST China. Additionally, our VAST LLC joint ventures in Brazil and India continue to report losses due to the weak automotive build in those regions. The impact of any future planned capital expenditures or future expansion by VAST LLC in China, Brazil and India, may result in the need for additional future capital contributions to fund the operations of these joint venture investments.
Cyber Vulnerability - In the ordinary course business, we collect and store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, as well as personally identifiable information of our customers and employees, in our internal data centers, cloud services and on our networks. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure, as well as that of our partners, may be vulnerable to malicious attacks or breaches due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions, including as a result of rollouts of new systems. Any such breach or operation failure would compromise our networks or that of our business partners and the information stored could be accessed, publically disclosed, lost or stolen. Although we have cyber security insurance in place, such access or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, regulatory fines or penalties, disruption in our operations, damage to our reputation, or loss of confidence in our products and services, any of which could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Qualified Personnel - Our business success depends, to a significant degree, on attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Our ability to sustain and grow our business requires us to hire, retain, develop and motivate a highly skilled and diverse management team and workforce. These types of employees are in high demand and often have competing employment opportunities. The labor market for skilled employees is highly competitive and we may lose key employees or be forced to increase their compensation to retain these types of employees. Failure to ensure that we have the leadership capacity with the necessary skill set and experience could impede our ability to deliver our growth objectives and execute our strategic plan. Organizational and reporting changes resulting from any future leadership transition or corporate initiatives could result in increased turnover. Additionally, any unplanned turnover or inability to attract and retain key employees could have a negative effect on our results of operations, including by significantly increasing our recruitment, training and other related employee costs. Moreover, the loss of key personnel, or the failure to attract qualified personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Disruptions Due to Work Stoppages and Other Labor Matters - Our major customers and many of their suppliers have unionized work forces. Work stoppages or slow-downs experienced by our customers or their suppliers could result in slow-downs or closures of assembly plants where our products are included in assembled vehicles. For example, strikes by a critical supplier called by the United Auto Workers led to extended shut-downs of most of General Motors’ North American assembly plants in February 2008 and September 2019. A material work stoppage experienced by one or more of our customers could have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results. In addition, all production associates at our Milwaukee facility are unionized. A sixteen-day strike by these associates in June 2001 resulted in increased costs as all salaried associates worked with additional outside resources to produce the components necessary to meet customer requirements. The current contract with our unionized associates is effective through September 17, 2021. We may encounter further labor disruption and we may also encounter unionization efforts in our other plants or other types of labor conflicts, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial results, financial condition and cash flows. Labor contracts between General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and their unionized associates under the United Auto Workers union expire in September 2023. In addition, their respective labor agreements with the Canadian auto workers union expire in Fall 2023. Labor disruptions encountered by our customers during the contract period could have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results.
FINANCIAL RISKS
Financial Distress of Automotive Supply Base - During the Great Recession, which impacted calendar years 2009 and 2010, deteriorating automotive industry conditions adversely affected STRATTEC and our supply base. Lower production levels at our major customers, volatility in certain raw material and energy costs and the global credit market crisis resulted in severe financial distress among many companies within the automotive supply base. During the above time frame, several automotive suppliers filed for bankruptcy protection or ceased operations. The potential continuation or renewal of financial distress within the supply base (whether from COVID-19 or otherwise) and our suppliers’ inability to obtain credit from lending institutions could lead to commercial disputes and possible supply chain interruptions. In addition, the potential for future adverse industry conditions (including from COVID-19 or otherwise) may require us to provide financial assistance or other measures to ensure uninterrupted production. The continuation or renewal of these industry conditions could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues, financial results, financial condition and cash flows.
Cost Reduction - There is continuing pressure from our major customers to reduce the prices we charge for our products. This requires us to generate cost reductions, including reductions in the cost of components purchased from outside suppliers. If we are unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future to offset pre-programmed price reductions, our gross margin and profitability will be adversely affected.
Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations - Our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. We have manufacturing operations in Mexico, and as a result, a portion of our manufacturing costs are incurred in Mexican pesos. Therefore, fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/Mexican peso exchange rate may have a material effect on our profitability, cash flows, financial position, and may significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods. Any depreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of the Mexican peso will adversely affect the cost of our Mexican operations when translated into U.S. dollars. Similarly, any appreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of the Mexican peso will decrease the cost of our Mexican operations when translated into U.S. dollars.
Program Volume and Pricing Fluctuations - We incur costs and make capital expenditures for new program awards based upon certain estimates of production volumes over the anticipated program life for certain vehicles. While we attempt to establish the price of our products for variances in production volumes, if the actual production of certain vehicle models is significantly less than planned, our net sales and net income may be adversely affected. We cannot predict our customers’ demands for the products we supply either in the aggregate or for particular reporting periods.
Investments in Customer Program Specific Assets - We make investments in machinery and equipment used exclusively to manufacture products for specific customer programs. This machinery and equipment is capitalized and depreciated over the expected useful life of each respective asset. Therefore, the loss of any one of our major customers, the loss of specific vehicle models or the early cancellation of a vehicle model could result in impairment in the value of these assets which may have a material adverse effect on our financial results and financial condition.
Credit Facilities - Historically, from time to time we have relied on our existing credit facilities to provide us with adequate working capital to operate our business and fund our capital expenditures, including our expansion initiatives. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to refinance, extend the maturity of, or otherwise amend the terms of our existing credit facilities, or that any refinancing, extension, or amendment will be on terms favorable to us or even on commercially reasonable terms. If our lenders reduce or terminate our access to amounts under our credit facilities, we may not have sufficient capital to fund our working capital needs and/or we may need to secure additional capital or financing to fund our working capital requirements or to repay outstanding debt under our credit facilities. Moreover, new credit facilities resulting from any refinancing of our existing facilities could have a significantly higher rate of interest and greater borrowing costs than our existing facilities. We can make no assurance that we will be successful in ensuring our availability of amounts under our credit facilities or in connection with raising additional capital and that any amount, if raised, will be sufficient to meet our cash flow requirements. If we are not able to maintain our borrowing availability under our credit facilities and/or raise additional capital when needed, we may be forced to sharply curtail our efforts to manufacture and promote the sale of our products or to curtail our operations.
There can be no assurance that the financial terms or covenants of any new credit facility will be the same or as favorable as those under our existing facilities. Additionally, our ability to complete a refinancing of our existing credit facilities prior to their respective maturities is subject to a number of conditions beyond our control. For example, if a disruption in the financial markets were to occur at the time that we intended to refinance our credit facilities, we might be restricted in our ability to access the credit lines. The restrictive covenants in any such new credit facility may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our best long term interests. A breach of any of these types of restrictive covenants in our credit facilities could result in a default under these facilities. If a default occurs, the lenders under our credit facilities may elect to declare all outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable, to terminate any commitments they have to provide further borrowings and to exercise any other rights they have under the facilities or applicable law.
Warranty Claims - We are exposed to warranty claims in the event that our products fail to perform as expected, and we may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by our customers for such products. Our largest customers have recently extended and/or expanded their warranty protection for their vehicles. Other automotive OEMs have similarly extended and/or expanded their warranty programs. We are engaged in ongoing discussions with our customers regarding warranty information and potential claims. The results of these discussions could result in additional warranty charges/claims in future periods. Depending on the nature of and the volume of vehicles involved in the potential warranty claims, these charges could be material to our financial statements. The extended and/or expanded warranty trend may also result in higher cost recovery claims by OEMs from suppliers whose products incur a higher rate of warranty claims above an OEM derived nominal level. Prior to fiscal 2010, we had experienced relatively low warranty charges from our customers due to our commercial arrangements and improvements in the quality, reliability and durability of our products. Due to our largest customers’ extension and/or expansion of their warranty protection programs and demands for higher warranty cost sharing arrangements from their suppliers in their terms and conditions of purchase, including from STRATTEC, we increased our provision to cover warranty exposures since fiscal year 2010. In 2015 and 2018, our increased warranty provision was the result of various known or expected customer warranty issues outstanding and estimated future warranty costs to be incurred as of June 2015 and June 2018, respectively, for which amounts were reasonably estimable. As additional information becomes available, actual results may differ from recorded estimates or we may need to record additional warranty provisions, similar to as in 2015 and 2018. If our customers demand higher warranty-related cost recoveries, or if our products fail to perform as expected, it could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS
Environmental, Safety and Other Regulations - We are subject to Federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements related to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of our manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include, among others, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended). We have an environmental management system that is ISO-14001 certified. We believe that our existing environmental management system is adequate for current and anticipated operations and we have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in the environmental area. An environmental reserve was established in 1995 for estimated costs to remediate a site at our Milwaukee facility. The site was contaminated from a former above-ground solvent storage tank, located on the east side of the facility. The contamination occurred in 1985 and is being monitored in accordance with Federal, state and local requirements. We do not currently anticipate any material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or competitive position as a result of compliance with Federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws or other related legal requirements. However, risk of environmental liability and changes associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of our business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or changes could not arise.
Compliance Related to Regulations Related to Conflict Minerals - We are required to disclose the use of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (collectively, “conflict minerals”) mined from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries (the “covered countries”) if a conflict mineral(s) is necessary to the functionality of a product manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, by us. We may determine, as part of our compliance efforts, that certain products or components we obtain from our suppliers could contain conflict minerals. If we are unable to conclude that all our products are free from conflict minerals originating from covered countries, this could have a negative impact on both our existing and future business, reputation and/or results of operations. We may also encounter challenges to satisfy customers who require that our products be certified as conflict free, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage if we are unable to substantiate such a claim. Compliance with these rules could also affect the sourcing and availability of some of the minerals used in the manufacture of products or components we obtain from our suppliers, including our ability to obtain products or components in sufficient quantities and/or at competitive prices to sell to our customers.
Income Taxes - We are a U.S.-based multinational company subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities and in evaluating our tax positions on a worldwide basis. While we believe our tax positions are consistent with the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business, it is possible that these positions may be overturned by jurisdictional tax authorities, which may have a significant impact on our global provision for income taxes. Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of these laws are issued or applied. We are also subject to ongoing tax audits. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve and can be highly subjective. Tax authorities may disagree with certain tax reporting positions taken by us and, as a result, assess additional taxes against us. We regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits in order to determine the appropriateness of our tax provision.
GENERAL RISK FACTOR
In addition to the specific risks above, we, our customers, and our suppliers may be adversely affected by changing economic conditions throughout the world. These conditions may result in reduced consumer and investor confidence, instability in the credit and financial markets, volatile corporate profits, and reduced business and consumer spending. We, our customers, and our suppliers and the economy as a whole also may be affected by future world or local events outside of our control, such as tariffs and other trade protection measures put in place by the United States or other countries, acts of terrorism, developments in the war on terrorism, civil unrest, conflicts in international situations, weather events, natural disasters, outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and government or political related developments or issues, including changes in tax laws and regulations. These factors could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. Additionally, political and social turmoil, international conflicts and terrorist acts may put pressure on global economic conditions that may adversely impact our operating results. Unstable political, social or economic conditions may make it difficult for us, our customers and our suppliers to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. If such conditions arise or persist, they could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We have five manufacturing plants, one warehouse, and one sales office. These facilities are described as follows:
Location
Type
Sq. Ft.
Owned or
Leased
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Headquarters and General Offices; Component Parts
Manufacturing
345,123
Owned
Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico
Subsidiary Offices and Assembly
169,488
Owned
Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico
Subsidiary Offices and Assembly
69,900
Owned
Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico
Subsidiary Offices, Key Finishing, Injection Molding
and Assembly Operations
114,877
Owned
Leon, Mexico
Subsidiary Offices, Door Handle Injecting Molding,
Painting and Assembly
129,887
Owned
El Paso, Texas
Finished Goods and Service Parts Distribution Warehouse
114,715
Leased**
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Sales and Engineering Office for Detroit Customer Area
62,736
Owned
**
Leased unit within a complex.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the normal course of business we may be involved in various legal proceedings from time to time. We do not believe we are currently involved in any claim, action or proceeding the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “STRT.”
Registered shareholders of record at June 27, 2021, were 902.
The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program on October 16, 1996, and the program was publicly announced on October 17, 1996. Since inception of the stock repurchase program, the Board of Directors has periodically increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the program. At June 27, 2021, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for repurchase under the program totaled 3,839,395. The program currently authorizes the repurchase of the Company’s common stock from time to time, directly or through brokers or agents, and has no expiration date. Over the life of the repurchase program through June 27, 2021, a total of 3,655,322 shares have been repurchased at a cost of approximately $136.4 million. No shares were repurchased during the year ended June 27, 2021.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The financial data for each period presented below reflects the consolidated results of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary and its majority owned subsidiaries. Fiscal year 2017 has been retrospectively adjusted for the adoption of an update to the accounting guidance for the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost which requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be reported in the same line items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the applicable period while the remaining components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented separately outside a subtotal of income from operations. The information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere herein. The following data are in thousands of dollars except per share amounts.
Fiscal Years
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net sales
$
485,295
$
385,300
$
487,006
$
439,195
$
417,325
Gross profit
78,658
35,446
57,800
54,443
60,955
Engineering, selling and administrative expenses
44,743
44,108
47,186
41,168
46,113
Income (loss) from operations
33,915
(8,662
)
10,614
13,275
14,842
Interest income
-
-
-
Equity earnings (loss) of joint ventures
2,560
(209
)
2,783
4,532
Interest expense
(302
)
(920
)
(1,615
)
(1,137
)
(417
)
Pension termination settlement charge
-
-
(31,878
)
-
-
Other (expense) income, net
(1,165
)
1,668
(337
)
1,020
1,167
Income (loss) before taxes and non-controlling interest
35,008
(8,123
)
(20,433
)
17,698
16,394
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
5,111
(2,266
)
(7,740
)
2,070
4,284
Net income (loss)
29,897
(5,857
)
(12,693
)
15,628
12,110
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
7,365
1,748
4,336
3,345
4,913
Net income (loss) attributable to
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
$
22,532
$
(7,605
)
$
(17,029
)
$
12,283
$
7,197
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION:
Basic
$
5.95
$
(2.04
)
$
(4.63
)
$
3.39
$
2.01
Diluted
$
5.85
$
(2.04
)
$
(4.63
)
$
3.32
$
1.96
Cash dividends declared per share
$
-
$
0.42
$
0.56
$
0.56
$
0.56
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Net working capital
$
97,332
$
77,228
$
77,369
$
82,310
$
61,110
Total assets
$
310,563
$
265,545
$
312,736
$
307,175
$
273,714
Long-term liabilities
$
19,558
$
41,964
$
45,657
$
55,136
$
33,105
Total STRATTEC SECURITY
CORPORATION Shareholders’ equity
$
181,646
$
152,222
$
163,388
$
162,158
$
151,088

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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
The following Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION’s accompanying Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in this Form 10-K. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to years or quarters refer to fiscal years or fiscal quarters of STRATTEC.
Executive Overview
Historically, a significant portion of our total net sales have been to domestic automotive OEMs (General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler). During the past two decades these customers lost North American market share to the New Domestic automotive manufacturers (primarily the Japanese and Korean automotive manufacturers). In addition to our dependence on our customers’ maintaining their market share, our financial performance depends in large part on conditions in the overall automotive industry, which in turn, are dependent upon the U.S. and global economies. During fiscal years 2021 and 2020, the above domestic automotive OEMs together represented each year 62 percent, respectively, of our total net sales.
During fiscal years 2021 and 2020, we experienced stronger sales demand for our components from our major North American customers noted above as it relates to light trucks and both sport utility and car based utility vehicles in comparison to passenger cars, which was likely influenced by customer preferences and gas prices. If gas prices continue to remain flat or slightly higher over the next several years, we anticipate this consumer buying trend will continue, which is approximately 77 percent light trucks and sport utility vehicles in comparison to 23 percent passenger car vehicle purchases today. During the last 3-5 years our major customers General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler eliminated passenger car production on several models in North America as a strategy to improve their overall profitability going forward.
Fiscal 2021 net sales were $485 million compared to $385 million in 2020. The fiscal 2021 net sales were impacted by the global semiconductor chip shortage that reduced net sales and profitability primarily in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and we see these shortages continuing into fiscal year 2022. The reduced sales in fiscal year 2020 was attributed to the General Motors labor strike with the United Auto Workers in September and October 2019 which reduced net sales to General Motors by approximately $10 million and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During March, April and May 2020, the North American OEM assembly plant operations were shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic reducing our net sales to our customers by approximately $78 million during that period. Net income attributable to STRATTEC for fiscal 2021 was $22.5 million and the Net loss attributable to STRATTEC in fiscal 2020 was $7.6 million (which included a $3.7 million non-cash compensation expense charges net of tax), which as noted above was primarily attributed to the lost net sales previously described above. In response to the COVID -19 pandemic in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company implemented temporary layoffs of production workers in our Milwaukee, WI and Mexico plant operations, reduced the US Salaried workforce by ten percent, reduced salaried working hours by ten percent, allowed remote working from home, significantly reduced nonessential operating costs, delayed capital expenditures and temporarily suspended the quarterly cash dividend to preserve cash flow during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. In addition, during fiscal year 2021 the Company produced additional finished goods inventory in anticipation of our OEM customers pipeline fill to their dealers once vehicle production began starting up in July, 2020 coming out of the temporary shutdowns from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continued to build inventory as it relates to the global chip shortage and low inventory levels at the dealers today. Also impacting profitability in late fiscal year 2021 were increased costs for purchased raw materials relating to zinc, steel, nickel silver, brass, aluminum and plastic resins that in most cases we were not able to pass along all these increased costs to our customers. Another factor impacting our profitability is our U.S. Dollar and Mexican Peso exchange rate that affects our operations in Mexico. In the case of the Mexican Peso, the Company does have certain hedging strategies to offset the impact of the exchange rate effects on profitability.
As we look out into the future, the July 2021 projections from our third-party forecasting service indicate that North American light vehicle production will show a significant increase in demand in vehicle production build for the next four years from our original 2021 forecast which was originally set lower due to the expected lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing global semiconductor chip shortage. By model year, based on these projections we are expecting a 2021 vehicle build of 14.7 million vehicles, 17.1 million vehicles for 2022, 17.0 million vehicles for 2023, 16.6 million vehicles for 2024 and 16.8 million vehicles for 2025. These vehicle production estimates going forward were significantly increased due to the impact of COVID-19 that lowered vehicle production in late fiscal 2020 and the global semiconductor chip shortage in late fiscal 2021. As part of this third party projection, the Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler are expected to experience slightly decreased vehicle production volumes in their production levels during this time period. Of course, all of these forecasts are subject to variability based on what happens in the overall North American and global economies, especially as it relates to the world wide status of the global semiconductor chip shortage and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that may shut down our customers assembly facilities and supply chains in the foreseeable future, potential tariff enactment by the United States Government or other foreign countries, the current levels of employment, availability of consumer credit, home equity values, fluctuating fuel prices, changes in customer vehicle and option preferences, product quality issues, including related to recall and product warranty coverage issues, and other key factors that we believe could determine whether consumers can or will purchase new vehicles or particular brands.
Focus and Strategy Going Forward
STRATTEC’s long-term strategy is focused on maximizing long-term shareholder value by driving profitable growth. Our management believes productivity improvements and cost reductions are critical to our competitiveness, while enhancing the value we deliver to our customers. In order to accomplish this, we have been pursuing, and we intend to continue to pursue over the foreseeable future, the following objectives as summarized below:
-
Streamline and standardize processes to increase productivity and improve the quality of our products
-
Maintain a disciplined and flexible cost structure to leverage scale and optimize asset utilization and procurement
-
Maintain our strong financial position by deploying capital spending targeted for growth and productivity improvement
-
Leverage the “VAST Automotive Group Brand” with customer relationships to generate organic growth from global programs
-
Offer our customers innovative products and technologies, in particular electronics capabilities, along with cost savings solutions to meet their changing demands
-
Explore and execute targeted mergers and acquisitions or other joint venture opportunities with a disciplined due diligence approach and critical financial analysis to drive shareholder value
We use several key performance indicators to gauge progress toward achieving these objectives. These indicators include net sales growth, operating margin improvement, return on capital employed and cash flow from operations.
Results of Operations
2021 Compared to 2020
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net Sales (millions of dollars)
$
485.3
$
385.3
Net Sales to each of our customers or customer groups in the current year and prior year were as follows (millions of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
General Motors Company
$
146.5
$
102.5
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)
85.6
85.0
Ford Motor Company
67.7
52.7
Tier 1 Customers
66.8
56.0
Commercial and Other OEM Customers
77.0
71.9
Hyundai / Kia
41.7
17.2
Total
$
485.3
$
385.3
Current year sales were adversely impacted by the global semiconductor chip shortage, and prior year sales were significantly and negatively impacted by the decision of our OEM customers to fully close their assembly plants in April and May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of these production schedule reductions reduced our net sales in the prior year by approximately $78.0 million. Sales to all customer groups in the current year were higher in comparison to the prior year due to the foregoing impact of the COVID-19 virus disruption on our operations. The following items further impacted sales to the noted customer groups between years:
-
Sales to General Motors were negatively impacted by a UAW strike in the prior year, which further reduced our prior year net sales by approximately $10 million.
-
Sales to FCA were negatively impacted in the current year due to their lower vehicle production volumes of the vehicles for which we supply components, in particular related to Chrysler minivans. The Dodge Grand Caravan minivan went out of production during July 2020.
-
Sales to Ford Motor Company were positively impacted in the current year due to higher product content, and in particular for the new power tailgate program on the pickup trucks.
-
Sales to Commercial and Other OEM Customers were negatively impacted during the current year due to decreases in sales related to door handle products and power access products sold to Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. and related to reductions in sales of door handle products to Volkswagon. These Commercial and Other OEM Customers, along with Tier 1 Customers, primarily represent purchasers of vehicle access control products, such as latches, key fobs, driver controls, steering column locks and door handles, that we have developed in recent years to complement our historic core business of locks and keys.
-
Hyundai / Kia sales were positively impacted in the current year due to the introduction of the new Kia Sedona and Hyundai Starex minivans for which we supply primarily power sliding door components.
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Millions of Dollars
Percent of Cost of Goods Sold
Millions of Dollars
Percent of Cost of Goods Sold
Direct Material Costs
$
268.6
66.1
%
$
218.1
62.3
%
Labor and Overhead Costs
138.0
33.9
%
131.8
37.7
%
Total Cost of Goods Sold
$
406.6
$
349.9
The direct material cost increase was due to increased sales volumes between years, as discussed above, and increased purchased costs for certain raw materials and purchased components in the current year as compared to the prior year. The impact of increased zinc, brass, and nickel silver costs increased current year material costs by approximately $1.3 million as compared to the prior year. The increase in our direct material costs as a percentage of our cost of goods sold was due to the increased raw material costs as previously discussed and due to a reduction in our labor and overhead costs as a percentage of our cost of goods sold, as discussed below.
Labor and overhead costs increased between years, yet these costs decreased as a percentage of our cost of goods sold as a result of favorable absorption of fixed overhead costs resulting from production volume increases and cost improvement initiatives at our Milwaukee and Mexico facilities. Labor and overhead costs were impacted by the following:
Cost Increases:
-
The variable portion of our labor and overhead costs increased as a result of the increase in sales volumes.
-
The current year results included losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment of $1.4 million compared to a loss on disposal of $369,000 during the prior year.
-
Expense provisions under our incentive bonus plan impacting cost of goods sold increased $3.8 million between periods.
-
Mexico wages and benefits increased $1.9 million as a result of a January 1, 2021 minimum wage increase.
Cost Decreases:
-
The prior year included a $3.0 million non-cash compensation expense charge related to the transfer of excess Qualified Pension Plan assets as described under Pension and Postretirement Benefits within Notes to Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
-
Labor and overhead costs in the current year period were favorably impacted by cost improvements implemented at our Milwaukee, WI and Mexico facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
The U.S. dollar value of our Mexican operations was favorably impacted by approximately $1.8 million in the current year as compared to the prior year due to a favorable Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate between these annual periods. The average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate increased to approximately 20.90 pesos to the dollar in the current year from approximately 20.50 pesos to the dollar in the prior year.
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Gross Profit (millions of dollars)
$
78.7
$
35.4
Gross Profit as a percentage of net sales
16.2
%
9.2
%
The increase in gross profit dollars in the current year as compared to the prior year was attributed to the increase in net sales between years, partially offset by the increase in cost of goods sold as discussed above. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales improved between years due to the increase in net sales as discussed above, which resulted in more favorable absorption of our fixed costs and due to cost improvement initiatives at our Milwaukee and Mexico facilities.
Engineering, Selling and Administrative Expenses in the current year and prior year were as follows:
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Expenses (millions of dollars)
$
44.7
$
44.1
Expenses as a percentage of net sales
9.2
%
11.4
%
Engineering, selling and administrative expenses were impacted by the following:
Cost Increases:
-
Expense provisions under our incentive bonus plan impacting engineering, selling and administrative expenses increased $2.8 million between years.
-
The prior year fourth quarter included a ten percent reduction in the salaried work force, a temporary reduction in hours worked, and reductions in various other operating costs, many of which were implemented as cost saving measures to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our reduced sales levels.
Cost Decreases:
-
Customer reimbursement of engineering development costs incurred in prior year periods decreased costs $1.5 million between years, which reimbursement was agreed to in the current year.
-
Prior year costs included a $1.9 million non-cash compensation expense charge related to the transfer of excess Qualified Pension Plan assets as described under Pension and Postretirement Benefits within Notes to Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
Income from operations in the current year was $33.9 million compared to loss from operations of $8.7 million in the prior year. This change was the result of increase sales, which were partially offset by an increase in cost of goods sold in the current year as compared to the prior year, all as discussed above.
The equity earnings (loss) of joint ventures was comprised of the following in the current year and prior year (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC
$
2,560
$
(565
)
STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC ("SAL LLC")
-
$
2,560
$
(209
)
Higher profitability from our VAST LLC joint venture was due to higher net sales and improved profitability in our VAST China operation between years. The improved profitability in our VAST China operation between years stemmed from the extended OEM customer plant shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year. VAST China’s profitability in the current year was also partially offset by startup costs for their new plant in Jingzhou, China and by costs associated with the closure of our VAST China plant in Fuzhou, China, which operations were consolidated into the new Jingzhou facility. We continue to believe these actions related to the changes in facilities, will give VAST China added capacity, greater operating efficiencies and a broader geographic footprint in the China market going forward. VAST LLC, including VAST China, is a crucial part of our global strategy and we anticipate that it will contribute to our overall long term sales growth as the China market continues to expand. Our VAST LLC joint ventures in India and Brazil continue to report losses due to our limited amount of business in both regions as well as the impact of COVID-19. SAL LLC was dissolved during fiscal 2020. Our 2020 equity earnings of SAL LLC included a gain on dissolution of $342,000.
Included in other (expense) income, net in the current year and prior year were the following items (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain
$
(2,445
)
$
1,982
Rabbi Trust gain (loss)
(2
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on Mexican peso forward contracts
(480
)
Realized gain (loss) on Mexican peso forward contracts
(418
)
Pension and postretirement plans cost
(483
)
(469
)
Other
1,055
$
(1,165
)
$
1,668
-
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulted from activity associated with foreign denominated assets held by our Mexican subsidiaries.
-
The Rabbi Trust assets fund our amended and restated supplemental executive retirement plan. The investments held in the Trust are considered trading securities.
-
We entered into the Mexican peso currency forward contracts during fiscal 2021 and 2020 to minimize earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. Unrealized gains and losses on the peso forward contracts recognized as a result of mark-to-market adjustments as of June 27, 2021 may or may not be realized in future periods, depending on actual Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rates experienced during the balance of the contract period.
-
Pension and postretirement plan costs include the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component.
-
During fiscal 2020, other miscellaneous income net includes $450,000 of favorable valued added tax adjustments realized by our Mexican entities and $434,000 of experience gains from asset returns related to the termination of our Qualified Pension Plan as discussed under Retirement Plans and Postretirement Costs within our Notes to Financial Statements under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.
Our effective income tax rate for 2021 was 14.6 percent compared to 27.9 percent in 2020. Our effective tax rate for 2020 was higher due to our pre-tax book loss and the beneficial carry-back of losses. Additionally, our income tax provision for each year 2021 and 2020 was affected by the non-controlling interest portion of our pre-tax income, GILTI provisions and R&D tax credit. The non-controlling interest impacts the effective tax rate as our ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC entities are taxed as partnerships for U.S. tax purposes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital (millions of dollars)
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Current Assets
$
174.9
$
125.4
Current Liabilities
77.6
48.1
Working Capital
$
97.3
$
77.3
Outstanding Receivable Balances from Major Customers
Our primary source of cash flow is from our major customers, which include Fiat Chrysler Automobiles LLC, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company. As of the date of filing this Annual Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of our customers are making payments on their outstanding accounts receivable in accordance with the payment terms included on their purchase orders. A summary of our outstanding receivable balances from our major customers as of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 was as follows (millions of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
General Motors Company
$
22.9
$
12.6
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
$
11.9
$
5.9
Ford Motor Company
$
8.2
$
6.1
Reduced accounts receivable balances as of June 28, 2020 was primarily due to reduced sales levels from the end of March 2020 through June 2020 as a result of our OEM customers reducing production schedules and closing their assembly plants, which reduced orders for our products, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cash Balances in Mexico
We earn a portion of our operating income in Mexico. As of June 27, 2021, $2.3 million of our $14.5 million cash and cash equivalents balance was held in Mexico. These funds are available for repatriation as deemed necessary.
Cash Flow Analysis
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Cash Flows from (millions of dollars):
Operating Activities
$
35.2
$
25.4
Investing Activities
$
(9.0
)
$
(12.3
)
Financing Activities
$
(22.9
)
$
(9.0
)
The increase in cash provided by operating activities between 2020 and 2021 was due to an increase in operating income as previously discussed. The increase in operating income was partially offset by a net increase in working capital requirements between these years of $28.7 million, with the net increase in our working capital requirements being made up of the following working capital changes (millions of dollars):
Increase (Decrease) in Working Capital Requirements
Change
Accounts Receivable
$
27.7
$
(42.0
)
$
69.7
Inventories
$
16.5
$
7.1
$
9.4
Customer Tooling
$
1.2
$
(0.5
)
$
1.7
Other Assets
$
1.2
$
0.5
$
0.7
Accounts Payable and
Other Liabilities
$
(28.5
)
$
24.2
$
(52.7
)
-
The change in the accounts receivable balances is the result of the amount and timing of sales during each year. The increase in accounts receivable balances during the current year and the reduction in accounts receivable during the prior year reflected reduced sales levels from the end of March 2020 through June 2020, which reduction was primarily due to our OEM customers reducing production schedules and closing their assembly plants due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
-
The change in inventory reflected an increase in inventory balances during both the current year period and the prior year period. The current year period increase was due to an inventory build-up as of June 2021 while our OEM customers experienced assembly plant shut-downs and reduced production schedule during late March 2021 through June 2021 due to
certain part shortages. The prior year increase was due to an inventory build-up resulting from our OEM customers reducing production schedules and closing their assembly plants from the end of March 2020 through June 2020 due to COVID-19.
-
The change in customer tooling balances, which consisted of costs incurred for the development of tooling that will be directly reimbursed by the customer whose parts are produced from the tool, was the result of the timing of tooling development spending required to meet customer production requirements and related billings for customer reimbursements.
-
The change in other assets was the result of an increase in the income tax recoverable balance in 2021, which changes were based on the required income tax provision, the timing and amounts of Federal, state and foreign tax payments made, and the timing of the utilization of foreign tax credits and research and development tax credits.
-
The change in accounts payable and accrued liability balances was primarily the result of an increase in accounts payable balances and accruals under our bonus plan during the current year. Bonus accruals at June 2021 totaled $6.6 million. Bonus accruals were zero at June 2020. Accounts payable balances were significantly reduced as of June 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 and the lower production levels stemming from that impact. Accounts payable balances increased as of June 2021 as our business had ramped-up throughout our fiscal 2021 along with business in the automotive industry in general. Accounts payable balances reflect the timing of purchases and payments with our vendors based on normal, established payment terms.
Net cash used by investing activities of $9.0 million during 2021 and $12.3 million during 2020 included capital expenditures of $8.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Capital expenditures during each year were made in support of requirements for new product programs and the upgrade and replacement of existing equipment. Net cash used by investing activities during 2021 also included an investment in our VAST LLC joint venture of $100,000. The investment was made for the purpose of funding general operating expenses for Sistema de Acesso Veicular Ltda, our Brazilian joint venture.
Net cash used in financing activities of $22.9 million during 2021 included repayments of borrowings under credit facilities of $23.0 million and $490,000 of dividend payments to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries, partially offset by $604,000 received for the exercise of stock options under our stock incentive plan and purchases under our employee stock purchase plan. Net cash used in financing activities of $9.0 million during 2020 included repayments of borrowings under credit facilities of $15.0 million, $1.6 million of regular quarterly dividend payments to shareholders and $980,000 of dividend payments to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries, partially offset by $8 million in additional borrowings under credit facilities as well as $560,000 received for the exercise of stock options under our stock incentive plan and purchases under our employee stock purchase plan.
Dividends
On May 13, 2020, our Board of Directors took action to temporarily suspend payment of our quarterly dividend for the foreseeable future in order to conserve cash as a result of the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. During the first nine months of fiscal 2020, prior to the suspension of dividend payments as discussed above, approximately $1.6 million of cash dividends were paid to our shareholders. No dividends were paid to shareholders during fiscal 2021.
VAST LLC Cash Requirements
We currently anticipate that VAST China has adequate debt facilities in place over the next fiscal year to cover the future operating and capital requirements of its business. During 2021, capital contributions totaling $300,000 were made to VAST LLC for purposes of funding operations in Brazil. STRATTEC’s portion of the capital contribution totaled $100,000. No capital contributions were made to VAST LLC in 2020. Due to economic conditions in Brazil, we anticipate Sistema de Acesso Veicular Ltda may require an additional capital contribution of approximately $300,000 collectively by all VAST LLC partners to fund operations during our fiscal year 2022. STRATTEC’s portion of these capital contributions is anticipated to be $100,000. During 2021 and 2020, VAST LLC made no capital contributions to Minda-VAST Access Systems. Due to Minda-VAST Access System recently experiencing losses and due to the COVID-19 outbreak, future capital contributions may be required by the partners in this joint venture.
Future Capital Expenditures
We anticipate capital expenditures will be approximately $13 million in fiscal 2022 in support of requirements for new product programs and the upgrade and replacement of existing equipment.
Stock Repurchase Program
Our Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back outstanding shares of our common stock. Shares authorized for buy back under the program totaled 3,839,395 at June 27, 2021. A total of 3,655,322 shares have been repurchased over the life of the program through June 27, 2021, at a cost of approximately $136.4 million. No shares were repurchased during fiscal 2021 or 2020. Additional repurchases may occur from time to time and are expected to continue to be funded by cash flow from operations and current cash balances. At this time, we anticipate minimal or no stock repurchase activity in fiscal year 2022.
Credit Facilities
STRATTEC has a $40 million secured revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC has a $25 million secured revolving credit facility (the “ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is guaranteed by STRATTEC. The credit facilities were extended during June 2021 and both expire August 1, 2024. Borrowings under either credit facility are secured by our U.S. cash balances, accounts receivable, inventory, and fixed assets located in the U.S. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility through May 31, 2021 was at varying rates based, at our option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Interest on borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility through May 31, 2021 was at varying rates based, at our option, on LIBOR plus 1.25 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Effective June 1, 2021 interest on borrowings under both credit facilities were at varying rates based, at our option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Both credit facilities contain a restrictive financial covenant that requires the applicable borrower to maintain a minimum net worth level. The ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility includes an additional restrictive financial covenant that requires the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of June 27, 2021, we were in compliance with all financial covenants required by these credit facilities. There were no outstanding borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility as of June 27, 2021. Outstanding borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility totaled $18 million at June 28, 2020. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $8.8 million and 1.2 percent, respectively, during 2021. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $13.8 million and 2.6 percent, respectively, during 2020. Outstanding borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility totaled $12 million at June 27, 2021 and $17 million at June 28, 2020. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $14.3 million and 1.4 percent, respectively, during 2021. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $19.1 million and 2.9 percent, respectively, during 2020. We believe that the credit facilities are adequate, along with existing cash flows from operations, to meet our anticipated capital expenditure, working capital, dividend, and operating expenditure requirements.
Inflation and Other Changes in Prices
Over the past several years, we have been impacted by rising health care costs, which have increased our cost of associate medical coverage. A portion of these increases have been offset by plan design changes and associate wellness initiatives. We have also been impacted by increases in the market price of zinc, steel, brass, nickel silver, and aluminum as well as inflation in Mexico, which impacts the U. S. dollar costs of our Mexican operations. We have negotiated raw material price adjustment clauses with certain, but not all, of our customers to offset some of the market price fluctuations in the cost of zinc. We own and operate manufacturing operations in Mexico. As a result, a portion of our manufacturing costs are incurred in Mexican pesos. We have from time to time entered into contracts with Bank of Montreal that provide for bi-weekly and monthly Mexican peso currency forward contracts for a portion of our estimated peso denominated operating costs to minimize our earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. Refer to the discussion of Derivative Instruments under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included as part of Item 8 within this Form 10-K.
Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries
Refer to the discussion of Investment in Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries and discussion of Equity Earnings (Loss) of Joint Ventures included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies
We believe the following represents our critical accounting policies:
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions - We are subject to income taxation in many jurisdictions around the world. Significant management judgment is required in the accounting for income tax contingencies because the outcomes are often difficult to determine. We are required to measure and recognize uncertain tax positions that we have taken or expect to take in our income tax returns. The benefit of an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements if management concludes that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained with the tax authorities. For a position that is likely to be sustained, the benefit recognized in the financial statements is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. A reserve is established for the difference between a position taken in an income tax return and the amount recognized in the financial statements. Refer to the discussion of Income Taxes included in the Notes to Financial Statements included as part of Item 8 within this Form 10-K.
Warranty Reserve - We have a warranty liability recorded related to our exposure to warranty claims in the event our products fail to perform as expected, and we may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by our customers for such products. The recorded warranty liability balance involves judgment and estimates. Our liability estimate is based on an analysis of historical
warranty data as well as current trends and information, including our customers’ recent extension or expansion of their warranty programs. Actual warranty costs might differ from estimates due to the level of actual claims varying from our claims experience and estimates and final negotiations and settlements reached with our customers. Therefore, future actual claims experience could result in changes in our estimates of the required liability. Refer to the discussion of Warranty Reserve under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included as part of Item 8 within this Form 10-K.
We believe the reserve discussed above is estimated using consistent and appropriate methods. However, changes to the assumptions could materially affect the recorded reserve amount.
New Accounting Standards
Refer to the discussion of New Accounting Standards under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included as part of Item 8 within this Form 10-K.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Page
REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Loss)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Consolidated Statements of shareholders' Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Shareholders and the Board of Directors of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (the "Company") as of June 27, 2021, the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended June 27, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 27, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended June 27, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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 June 27, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated September 2, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements 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 the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides 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 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 financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the 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.
Warranty Reserve
As described in the Notes to Financial Statements, the Company records a liability for known and potential exposure to warranty claims in the event its products fail to perform as expected and in the event that it may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by its customers for such products. At June 27, 2021, the Company’s warranty reserve was $8.4 million. The warranty reserve is estimated based on management’s analysis of historical data, current trends, known claims, and the terms of specific customer warranty programs and supply agreements. The warranty reserve requires management to apply significant judgment to its estimation of the liability which requires substantial auditor judgment due to the highly subjective nature and materiality of the future estimated claims to be paid. Actual warranty costs may differ from management’s estimated costs as a result of, but not limited to, negotiations with customers, changes to assumptions of repair and/or replacement costs, and changes to trends in product performance. Such matters may require future adjustments to the liability which could be significant.
Our audit procedures related to testing the Company’s warranty reserve included the following:
a.
Evaluating the design and testing of the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over the accounting for the warranty reserve.
b.
Obtaining and reviewing copies of select customer agreements, including provisions related to warranty policies and recall provisions and evaluating the Company’s estimated contractual obligations in comparison to the terms of selected customer agreements.
c.
Tested the completeness and accuracy of the claims to date and payments.
d.
Evaluate the reasonableness of the estimated repair costs by comparing historical repair costs to estimated future repair cost for known product issues.
e.
Evaluate the reasonableness of management’s judgement regarding negotiations with customers.
f.
Independently developing ranges of possible outcomes based on the Company’s historical claim experience and comparing those to the warranty reserve established by the Company.
/s/ Crowe LLP
Oak Brook, Illinois
September 2, 2021
We have served as the Company's auditor since fiscal year 2021.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of June 28, 2020, the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for the year ended June 28, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 28, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended June 28, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements 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 the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 3, 2020
We began serving as the Company’s auditor in 2010. In 2020 we became the predecessor auditor.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
NET SALES
$
485,295
$
385,300
Cost of goods sold
406,637
349,854
GROSS PROFIT
78,658
35,446
Engineering, selling, and administrative expenses
44,743
44,108
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
33,915
(8,662
)
Equity earnings (loss) of joint ventures
2,560
(209
)
Interest expense
(302
)
(920
)
Other (expense) income, net
(1,165
)
1,668
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES AND NON-
CONTROLLING INTEREST
35,008
(8,123
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
5,111
(2,266
)
NET INCOME (LOSS)
29,897
(5,857
)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
7,365
1,748
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRATTEC SECURITY
CORPORATION
$
22,532
$
(7,605
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
NET INCOME (LOSS)
$
29,897
$
(5,857
)
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax
7,144
(5,796
)
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax
(135
)
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
7,009
(5,522
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
36,906
(11,379
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
9,058
(229
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
$
27,848
$
(11,150
)
INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRATTEC
SECURITY CORPORATION:
Basic
$
5.95
$
(2.04
)
Diluted
$
5.85
$
(2.04
)
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic
3,788
3,737
Diluted
3,852
3,737
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
14,465
$
11,774
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $500 at June 27, 2021 and
June 28, 2020
69,902
41,955
Inventories, net
70,860
54,400
Customer tooling in progress, net
7,571
8,768
Income taxes recoverable
5,716
2,912
Other current assets
6,390
5,559
Total current assets
174,904
125,368
INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES
27,224
22,068
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
5,052
6,490
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
6,982
6,471
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
96,401
105,148
$
310,563
$
265,545
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable
$
36,727
$
18,549
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll and benefits
22,483
13,498
Environmental
1,390
1,259
Warranty
8,425
8,500
Other
8,547
6,334
Total current liabilities
77,572
48,140
Commitments and Contingencies - see note beginning on page 46
BORROWINGS UNDER CREDIT FACILITIES
12,000
35,000
ACCRUED PENSION OBLIGATIONS
2,334
1,255
ACCRUED POSTRETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
4,625
5,008
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, authorized 12,000,000 shares, $.01 par value, issued 7,411,717
shares at June 27, 2021 and 7,358,812 shares at June 28, 2020
Capital in excess of par value
99,512
97,977
Retained earnings
234,472
211,940
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(16,797
)
(22,113
)
Less: Treasury stock at cost (3,606,652 shares at June 27, 2021 and 3,609,193 shares
at June 28, 2020)
(135,615
)
(135,656
)
Total STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION shareholders’ equity
181,646
152,222
Non-controlling interest
31,787
23,219
Total shareholders’ equity
213,433
175,441
$
310,563
$
265,545
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Balance Sheets.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Total
Common
Stock
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury
Stock
Non-
controlling
interest
BALANCE June 30, 2019
$
187,816
$
$
96,491
$
221,117
$
(18,568
)
$
(135,725
)
$
24,428
Net (loss) income
(5,857
)
-
-
(7,605
)
-
-
1,748
Currency translation adjustments
(5,796
)
-
-
-
(3,819
)
-
(1,977
)
Pension and postretirement funded status
adjustment, net of tax of $85
-
-
-
-
-
Cash dividends declared ($0.42 per share)
(1,572
)
-
-
(1,572
)
-
-
-
Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests
of subsidiaries
(980
)
-
-
-
-
-
(980
)
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
-
Stock option exercises
-
-
-
-
Employee stock purchases
-
-
-
-
BALANCE June 28, 2020
$
175,441
$
$
97,977
$
211,940
$
(22,113
)
$
(135,656
)
$
23,219
Net income (loss)
29,897
-
-
22,532
-
-
7,365
Currency translation adjustments
7,144
-
-
-
5,451
-
1,693
Pension and postretirement funded status
adjustment, net of tax of $42
(135
)
-
-
-
(135
)
-
-
Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests
of subsidiaries
(490
)
-
-
-
-
-
(490
)
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
-
Stock option exercises
-
-
-
-
-
Employee stock purchases
-
-
-
-
BALANCE June 27, 2021
$
213,433
$
$
99,512
$
234,472
$
(16,797
)
$
(135,615
)
$
31,787
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)
$
29,897
$
(5,857
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Equity (earnings) loss of joint ventures
(2,560
)
Depreciation
19,786
19,329
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)
2,445
(1,982
)
Unrealized (gain) loss on peso forward contracts
(723
)
Loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment
1,421
Non-cash compensation expense
-
4,824
Deferred income taxes
1,473
(3,589
)
Stock-based compensation expense
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables
(27,744
)
41,990
Inventories
(16,460
)
(7,138
)
Other assets
(2,435
)
(29
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
28,540
(24,207
)
Other, net
Net cash provided by operating activities
35,150
25,424
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in joint ventures
(100
)
-
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(8,929
)
(12,381
)
Proceeds received on sale of property, plant and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities
(9,021
)
(12,349
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under credit facilities
-
8,000
Repayments under credit facilities
(23,000
)
(15,000
)
Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests of subsidiaries
(490
)
(980
)
Dividends paid
-
(1,572
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(22,886
)
(8,992
)
FOREIGN CURRENCY IMPACT ON CASH
(552
)
(118
)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS
2,691
3,965
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Beginning of year
11,774
7,809
End of year
$
14,465
$
11,774
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash Paid During the Period For:
Income taxes
$
5,431
$
2,113
Interest
$
$
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable
$
$
(951
)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive access control products including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, passive entry passive start systems (PEPS), steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power tailgate systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products for primarily North American automotive customers. We also supply global automotive manufacturers through a unique strategic relationship with WITTE Automotive (“WITTE”) of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive (“ADAC”) of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under this relationship, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market the products of each company to global customers under the “VAST Automotive Group” brand name (as more fully described herein). STRATTEC products are shipped to customer locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Korea, China and India, and we, along with our VAST LLC partners, provide full service and aftermarket support for each VAST Automotive Group partner’s products. We also previously maintained a 51 percent interest in a joint venture, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (“SAL LLC”), which was established to introduce a new generation of commercial and residential biometric security products based on the designs of Actuator Systems, our partner and owner of the remaining ownership interest. SAL LLC was dissolved during our fiscal 2020.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated results of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, STRATTEC de Mexico, and its majority owned subsidiaries, ADAC-STRATTEC, LLC and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC. STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. STRATTEC de Mexico is located in Juarez, Mexico. ADAC-STRATTEC, LLC and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC have operations in El Paso, Texas and in Juarez and Leon, Mexico. Equity investments in Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (“VAST LLC”) and SAL LLC for which we exercise significant influence but do not control and are not variable interest entities of STRATTEC, are accounted for using the equity method. VAST LLC consists primarily of four wholly owned subsidiaries in China, one wholly owned subsidiary in Brazil and one joint venture entity in India. The results of the VAST LLC foreign subsidiaries and joint venture are reported on a one-month lag basis. SAL LLC was located in El Paso, Texas. We have only one reporting segment.
Risks and Uncertainties: In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China. The coronavirus has since spread, and infections have been found in multiple countries around the world, including the United States. In March 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic based on the global spread of the disease, the severity of illnesses it causes and its effects on society. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the governments of many countries, states, cities and other geographic regions have taken preventative or protective actions, such as imposing restrictions on travel and business operations and advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego their time outside of their homes. Accordingly, the COVID-19 outbreak has severely restricted the level of economic activity in many countries, and continues to adversely impact global economic activity, including with respect to customer purchasing actions and supply chain continuity and disruption, and in particular the supply of semiconductor chips, transponders and related components to the automotive industry.
STRATTEC’s operating performance is subject to global economic conditions and levels of consumer spending specifically within the automotive industry. During the period from late March 2020 through mid-June 2020, the majority of our OEM customer assembly plant operations were completely closed including most of the supply chain. Additionally, during most of this same period, STRATTEC’s Mexico facilities were closed as a result of the Mexican government’s shutdown of non-essential businesses. Re-opening of our OEM customer facilities and our Mexico facilities began in June 2020, and the automotive industry continued to ramp-up throughout our fiscal year ended June 27, 2021 resulting in an increase in our net sales for this current fiscal year period compared to our prior year period.
The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our future operating results will depend on the duration, intensity and continued spread of the outbreak, regulatory and private sector responses, which may be precautionary and may include potential restrictive operating measures imposed by governmental authorities, and the impact to our customers, workforce and suppliers, in particular related to the sourcing of semiconductor chips, transponders and other critical supply chain components by us and our customers to meet expected production schedules, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. These changing conditions may also affect the estimates and assumptions made by our management. Such estimates and assumptions affect, among other things, our long-lived asset valuations, equity investment valuation, assessment of our annual effective tax rate, valuation of deferred income taxes, assessment of excess and obsolete inventory reserves, and assessment of collectability of trade receivables.
Significant Accounting Policies: The significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of these financial statements, as summarized in the following paragraphs, are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary and its majority owned subsidiaries. Equity investments for which STRATTEC exercises significant influence but does not control and are not variable interest entities of STRATTEC are accounted for using the equity method. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.
New Accounting Standards: In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The update revises the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. Originally, the update was effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. In November 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Leases. This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for public companies that are considered smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are planning to adopt this standard in the first quarter of our fiscal 2024. We are currently evaluating the potential effects of adopting the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes, which enhances and simplifies various aspects of income tax accounting including hybrid tax regimes, tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business combination, separate financial statements of entities not subject to tax, the intraperiod tax allocation exception to the incremental approach, investment ownership changes from a subsidiary to an equity method investment and vice versa, interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law, and the year-to-date loss limitation in interim-period tax accounting. This accounting update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Fiscal Year: Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest June 30. The years ended June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are each comprised of 52 weeks.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses for the periods presented. These estimates and assumptions could also affect the disclosure of contingencies. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less due to the short-term nature of the instruments. Excess cash balances are placed in short-term commercial paper.
Derivative Instruments: We own and operate manufacturing operations in Mexico. As a result, a portion of our manufacturing costs are incurred in Mexican pesos, which causes our earnings and cash flows to fluctuate due to changes in the U.S. dollar/Mexican peso exchange rate. We have contracts with Bank of Montreal that provide for monthly Mexican peso currency forward contracts for a portion of our estimated peso denominated operating costs. Our objective in entering into currency forward contracts is to minimize our earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. The Mexican peso forward contracts are not used for speculative purposes and are not designated as hedges. As a result, all currency forward contracts are recognized in our accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value and changes in the fair value are reported in current earnings as part of Other (Expense) Income, net.
The following table quantifies the outstanding Mexican peso forward contracts as of June 27, 2021 (thousands of dollars, except with respect to the average forward contractual exchange rate):
Effective Dates
Notional Amount
Average Forward Contractual Exchange Rate
Fair Value
Buy MXP/Sell USD
July 13, 2021 - June 14, 2022
$
15,000
20.71
$
The fair market value of all outstanding Mexican peso forward contracts in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Other current assets:
Mexican peso forward contracts
$
$
-
Other current liabilities:
Mexican peso forward contracts
$
-
$
The pre-tax effects of the Mexican peso forward contracts on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Income consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):
Other (Expense) Income, net
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Realized gain (loss)
$
$
(418
)
Unrealized gain (loss)
$
$
(480
)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and borrowings under our credit facilities approximated their book value as of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid for a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. There is an established fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable. Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These are typically obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets. Level 2 - Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These are typically obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs, where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions of the data that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Rabbi Trust assets:
Stock index funds:
Small cap
$
$
-
$
-
$
$
$
-
$
-
$
Mid cap
-
-
-
-
Large cap
-
-
-
-
International
1,104
-
-
1,104
-
-
Fixed income funds
-
-
-
-
Cash and cash equivalents
-
-
-
-
Mexican peso forward contracts
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total assets at fair value
$
3,581
$
$
-
$
3,826
$
2,711
$
$
-
$
2,935
Liabilities:
Mexican peso forward contracts
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
-
$
The Rabbi Trust assets fund our supplemental executive retirement plan and are primarily included in Other Long-Term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to discussion of Mexican peso forward contracts under Derivative Instruments above. The fair value of the Mexican peso forward contracts considers the remaining term, current exchange rate and interest rate differentials between the two currencies.
Receivables: Receivables consist primarily of trade receivables due from Original Equipment Manufacturers in the automotive industry and locksmith/dealership distributors relating to our service and aftermarket sales. We evaluate the collectability of receivables based on a number of factors. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded for significant past due receivable balances based on a review of the past due items, general economic conditions (including with respect to the impact of COVID-19 on our customers) and the industry as a whole. The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $500,000 at June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020.
Inventories: Inventories are comprised of material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, and are stated at net realizable value using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost method of accounting. Inventories consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Finished products
$
20,633
$
13,142
Work in process
14,707
11,815
Purchased materials
40,900
34,333
76,240
59,290
Excess and obsolete reserve
(5,380
)
(4,890
)
Inventories, net
$
70,860
$
54,400
We record a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based on historical and estimated future demand and market conditions. The reserve level is determined by comparing inventory levels of individual materials and parts to historical usage and estimated future sales by analyzing the age of the inventory in order to identify specific materials and parts that are unlikely to be sold. Technical obsolescence and other known factors are also considered in evaluating the reserve level. The activity related to the excess and obsolete inventory reserve was as follows (thousands of dollars):
Balance,
Beginning
of Year
Provision
Charged to
Expense
Amounts
Written Off
Balance,
End of Year
Year ended June 27, 2021
$
4,890
$
$
$
5,380
Year ended June 28, 2020
$
4,225
$
2,178
$
1,513
$
4,890
Customer Tooling in Progress: We incur costs related to tooling used in component production and assembly. Costs for development of certain tooling, which will be directly reimbursed by the customer whose parts are produced from the tool, are accumulated on the balance sheet and are then billed to the customer. The accumulated costs are billed upon formal acceptance by the customer of products produced with the individual tool. Other tooling costs are not directly reimbursed by the customer. We capitalize and amortize these other tooling costs over the life of the related product based on the fact that the related tool will be used over the life of the supply arrangement. To the extent that estimated costs exceed expected reimbursement from the customer we recognize a loss.
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Classification
Expected
Useful Lives
Land improvements
20 years
Buildings and improvements
15 to 35 years
Machinery and equipment
3 to 15 years
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Land and improvements
$
5,963
$
5,002
Buildings and improvements
36,325
33,179
Machinery and equipment
228,141
228,035
270,429
266,216
Less: accumulated depreciation
(174,028
)
(161,068
)
$
96,401
$
105,148
Depreciation expense was as follows for the periods indicated (thousands of dollars):
Fiscal Year
Depreciation
Expense
$
19,786
$
19,329
The gross and net book value of property, plant and equipment located outside of the United States, primarily in Mexico, were as follows (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Gross book value
$
154,371
$
146,690
Net book value
$
67,348
$
71,369
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If such indicators are present, the recoverability of assets to be held and used is assessed by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If an asset is determined to not be recoverable, the impairment recognized is calculated as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. There were no impairments recorded in the years ended June 27, 2021 or June 28, 2020.
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition of plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income.
Leases: Our right-of-use operating lease assets are recorded at the present value of future minimum lease payments, net of amortization. We have an operating lease for our El Paso, Texas finished goods and service parts distribution warehouse that has a current lease term through October 2023. This lease includes renewal terms that can extend the lease term for five additional years. For purposes of calculating operating lease obligations, we included the option to extend the lease as it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such option. The lease does not contain material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
As the lease does not provide an implicit rate, we used our incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to determine the present value of our lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is an entity-specific rate which represents the rate of interest we would pay to borrow over a similar term with similar payments.
The operating lease asset and obligation related to our El Paso warehouse lease included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets are presented below (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Right-of-Use Asset Under Operating Lease:
Other Long-Term Assets
$
3,399
$
3,753
Lease Obligation Under Operating Lease:
Current Liabilities: Accrued Liabilities: Other
$
$
Other Long-Term Liabilities
3,021
3,399
$
3,399
$
3,753
Future minimum lease payments, by our fiscal year, including options to extend that are reasonably certain to be exercised, under the non-cancelable lease are as follows as of June 27, 2021 (thousands of dollars):
$
Thereafter
1,834
Total Future Minimum Lease Payments
3,846
Less: Imputed Interest
(447
)
Total Lease Obligations
$
3,399
Cash flow information related to the operating lease is shown below (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Operating Cash Flows:
Cash Paid Related to Operating Lease Obligation
$
$
The weighted average lease term and discount rate for the El Paso, Texas operating lease are shown below:
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term, (in years)
7.3
8.3
Weighted Average Discount Rate
3.3
%
3.3
%
Operating lease expense for the year ended June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 totaled $473,000 and $461,000, respectively.
Supplier Concentrations: The following inventory purchases were made from major suppliers during each fiscal year noted:
Fiscal Year
Percentage of
Inventory
Purchases
Number of
Suppliers
%
%
We have long-term contracts or arrangements with most of our suppliers to guarantee the availability of raw materials and component parts.
Labor Concentrations: We had approximately 3,752 full-time associates of which approximately 204 or 5.4 percent were represented by a labor union at June 27, 2021. The associates represented by a labor union account for all production associates at our Milwaukee facility. The current contract with the unionized associates is effective through September 17, 2021.
Revenue Recognition: We generate revenue from the production of parts sold to automotive and light-truck Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), or Tier 1 suppliers at the direction of the OEM, under long-term supply agreements supporting new vehicle production. Such agreements also require related production of service parts subsequent to the initial vehicle production periods. Additionally, we generate revenue from the production of parts sold in aftermarket service channels and to non-automotive commercial customers.
Revenue Recognition:
Our contracts with customers under long-term supply agreements do not commit the customer to a specified quantity of parts. However, we are generally required to fulfill our customers’ purchasing requirements for the production life of the vehicle. Contracts do not become a performance obligation until we receive either a purchase order and/or customer release for a specific number of parts at a specified price. While long-term supply agreements may range from four to six years for new vehicle production and ten to fifteen subsequent years for service parts production, contracts may be terminated by customers at any time. Historically, terminations have been minimal. Contracts may also provide for annual price reductions over the production life of the vehicle, and prices are adjusted on an ongoing basis to reflect changes in product content/cost and other commercial factors.
Revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the parts produced are transferred to the customer according to the terms of the contract, which is usually when the parts are shipped or delivered to the customer’s premises. Customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery and payment generally occurs within 45 to 90 days after the shipment date. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those products based on purchase orders, annual price reductions and ongoing price adjustments, some of which are accounted for as variable consideration. We use the most likely amount method, the single most likely outcome of the contract, to estimate the amount to which we expect to be entitled. There were no significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration during the reporting periods referenced in our accompanying financial statements and significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration are not expected in future periods.
We do not have an enforceable right to payment at any time prior to when the parts are shipped or delivered to the customer. Therefore, we recognize revenue at the point in time we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control of a part to a customer. Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling costs are included in Net Sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in Cost of Goods Sold in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Tooling and Pre-Production Engineering Costs Related to Long-Term Supply Arrangements:
We incur pre-production engineering and tooling costs related to the products produced for our customers under long-term supply agreements. Customer reimbursements for tooling and pre-production engineering activities that are part of a long-term supply arrangement are accounted for as a reduction of cost in accordance with ASC 340, Other Assets and Deferred Costs. Pre-production costs related to long-term supply agreements with a contractual guarantee for reimbursement are included in Other Current Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We expense all pre-production engineering costs for which reimbursement is not contractually guaranteed by the customer. All pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is not contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which we do not have a non-cancelable right to use the tooling is also expensed when incurred.
Receivables, net:
Receivables, net include amounts billed and currently due from customers. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for estimated amounts of receivables not expected to be collected. We continually assess our receivables for collectability and any allowance is recorded based upon age of the outstanding receivables, historical payment experience, customer creditworthiness and general economic conditions.
Contract Balances:
We had no material contract assets or contract liabilities as of June 27, 2021 or June 28, 2020.
Product Sales and Sales and Receivable Concentration:
Refer to Product Sales and Sales and Receivable Concentration included herein for revenue by product group and revenue by customer.
Research and Development Costs: Expenditures relating to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements and refinements to existing products, are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenditures were approximately $10.8 million in 2021 and $9.8 million in 2020.
Other (Expense) Income, Net: Net other (expense) income included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) primarily included foreign currency transaction gains and losses, realized and unrealized gains and losses on our Mexican peso currency forward contracts, the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component related to our pension and postretirement plans and Rabbi Trust gains and losses. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulted from activity associated with foreign denominated assets held by our Mexican subsidiaries. The Rabbi Trust assets fund our amended and restated supplemental executive retirement plan. The investments held in the Trust are considered trading securities. We entered into the Mexican peso currency forward contracts during fiscal 2021 and 2020 to minimize earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. Unrealized gains and losses on the peso forward contracts recognized as a result of mark-to-market adjustments as of June 27, 2021 may or may not be realized in future periods, depending on actual Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rates experienced during the balance of the contract period. Pension and postretirement plan costs include the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component. Additionally, during fiscal 2020, other miscellaneous income, net includes $450,000 of favorable valued-added tax adjustments realized by our Mexican entities and $434,000 of experience gains from asset returns related to the termination of our Qualified Pension Plan as discussed below under Retirement Plans and Postretirement Costs. The impact of these items for the periods presented was as follows (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain
$
(2,445
)
$
1,982
Rabbi Trust gain (loss)
(2
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on Mexican peso forward contracts
(480
)
Realized gain (loss) on Mexican peso forward contracts
(418
)
Pension and postretirement plans cost
(483
)
(469
)
Other miscellaneous income, net
1,055
$
(1,165
)
$
1,668
Warranty Reserve: We have a warranty liability recorded related to our known and potential exposure to warranty claims in the event our products fail to perform as expected, and in the event we may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by our customers for such products. The recorded warranty liability balance involves judgment and estimates. Our liability estimate is based on an analysis of historical warranty data as well as current trends and information, including our customers’ recent extension and/or expansion of their warranty programs. In recent fiscal periods, our largest customers have extended their warranty protection for their vehicles and have since demanded higher warranty cost sharing arrangements from their suppliers in their terms and conditions to purchase, including from STRATTEC. As additional information becomes available, actual results may differ from recorded estimates, which may require us to adjust the amount of our warranty provision. Changes in the warranty reserve were as follows (thousands of dollars):
Balance,
Beginning
of Year
Provision
Charged
to Expense
Payments
Balance,
End of Year
Year ended June 27, 2021
$
8,500
$
$
$
8,425
Year ended June 28, 2020
$
7,900
$
$
$
8,500
Foreign Currency Translation: The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries and equity investees are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the average exchange rate for each applicable period for sales, costs and expenses. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other (expense) income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (“AOCL”): The following tables summarize the changes in AOCL for the years ended June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 (thousands of dollars):
Year Ended June 27, 2021
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
Retirement
and
Postretirement
Plans
Total
Balance June 28, 2020
$
20,136
$
1,977
$
22,113
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(6,924
)
(6,384
)
Income Tax
(220
)
(128
)
(348
)
Net other comprehensive loss before
Reclassifications
(7,144
)
(6,732
)
Reclassifications:
Prior service credits (A)
-
Actuarial losses (A)
-
(369
)
(369
)
Total reclassifications before tax
-
(361
)
(361
)
Income Tax
-
Net reclassifications
-
(277
)
(277
)
Other comprehensive loss
(7,144
)
(7,009
)
Other comprehensive loss attributable
to non-controlling interest
(1,693
)
-
(1,693
)
Balance June 27, 2021
$
14,685
$
2,112
$
16,797
Year Ended June 28, 2020
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
Retirement
and
Postretirement
Plans
Total
Balance June 30, 2019
$
16,317
$
2,251
$
18,568
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
6,153
6,178
Income Tax
(357
)
(6
)
(363
)
Net other comprehensive loss before
Reclassifications
5,796
5,815
Reclassifications:
Prior service credits (A)
-
Actuarial losses (A)
-
(412
)
(412
)
Total reclassifications before tax
-
(383
)
(383
)
Income Tax
-
Net reclassifications
-
(293
)
(293
)
Other comprehensive loss
5,796
(274
)
5,522
Other comprehensive loss attributable
to non-controlling interest
1,977
-
1,977
Balance June 28, 2020
$
20,136
$
1,977
$
22,113
(A)
Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost, which is included in Other (Expense) Income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Retirement Plans and Postretirement Costs note to these Notes to Financial Statements below.
Stock-Based Compensation: We maintain an omnibus stock incentive plan. This plan provides for the granting of stock options, shares of restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. The Board of Directors has designated 2 million shares of common stock available for the grant of awards under the plan. Remaining shares available to be granted under the plan as of June 27, 2021 were 219,084. Awards that expire or are cancelled without delivery of shares become available for re-issuance under the plan. We issue new shares of common stock to satisfy stock option exercises.
Nonqualified and incentive stock options and shares of restricted stock have been granted to our officers, outside directors and specified associates under the stock incentive plan. Stock options granted under the plan may not be issued with an exercise price less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted. Stock options become exercisable as determined at the date of grant by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The options expire 10 years after the grant date unless an earlier expiration date is set at the time of grant. The options vest 1 to 4 years after the date of grant. Shares of restricted stock granted under the plan are subject to vesting criteria determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors at the time the shares are granted and have a minimum vesting period of one year from the date of grant. Restricted shares granted have voting rights, regardless of whether the shares are vested or unvested, but only have the right to receive cash dividends after such shares become vested. Restricted stock grants issued vest 1 to 5 years after the date of grant.
The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The resulting compensation cost for fixed awards with graded vesting schedules is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. The expected term of awards granted is determined based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules. The expected volatility is determined based on our historical stock prices over the most recent period commensurate with the expected term of the award. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term commensurate with the expected term of the award. Expected pre-vesting option forfeitures are based primarily on historical data. The fair value of each restricted stock grant was based on the market price of the underlying common stock as of the date of grant. The resulting compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. We record stock based compensation only for those awards that are expected to vest.
All compensation cost related to stock options granted under the plan has been recognized as of June 27, 2021. Unrecognized compensation cost as of June 27, 2021 related to restricted stock granted under the plan was as follows (thousands of dollars):
Compensation
Cost
Weighted Average
Period over
which Cost is to be
Recognized
(in years)
Restricted stock granted
$
0.9
Unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for any future changes in estimated and actual forfeitures.
Cash received from stock option exercises and the related income tax benefit were as follows (thousands of dollars):
Fiscal Year
Cash Received
from
Stock Option
Exercises
Income Tax
Benefit
$
$
$
$
The intrinsic value of stock options exercised and the fair value of options vested were as follows (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Intrinsic value of options exercised
$
$
Fair value of stock options vested
$
-
$
-
No options were granted during the fiscal years ended June 27, 2021 or June 28, 2020.
The range of options outstanding as of June 27, 2021 was as follows:
Number of
Options
Outstanding
and Exercisable
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding
and Exercisable
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life Outstanding
(In Years)
$26.53-$25.64
35,703
$26.20
0.51
$38.71
27,911
$38.71
2.15
$79.73
9,010
$79.73
3.14
72,624
$37.65
Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered, settled or utilized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. We recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50 percent) that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit is recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, we accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are classified in the (Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES AND MAJORITY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES
We participate in certain Alliance Agreements with WITTE Automotive (“WITTE”) and ADAC Automotive (“ADAC”). WITTE, of Velbert, Germany, is a privately held automotive supplier. WITTE designs, manufactures and markets automotive components, including locks and keys, hood latches, rear compartment latches, seat back latches, door handles and specialty fasteners. WITTE’s primary market for these products has been Europe. ADAC, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a privately held automotive supplier and manufactures engineered products, including door handles and other automotive trim parts, utilizing plastic injection molding, automated painting and various assembly processes.
The Alliance Agreements include a set of cross-licensing agreements for the manufacture, distribution and sale of WITTE products by STRATTEC and ADAC in North America, and the manufacture, distribution and sale of STRATTEC and ADAC products by WITTE in Europe. Additionally, a joint venture company, Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (“VAST LLC”), in which WITTE, STRATTEC and ADAC each hold a one-third equity interest, exists to seek opportunities to manufacture and sell each company’s products in areas of the world outside of North America and Europe. As a result of these relationships, the entities involved purchase products from each other on an as needed basis to use as components in end products assembled and sold in their respective home markets. STRATTEC currently purchases such component parts from WITTE. These purchases totaled $874,000 in 2021 and $1.0 million in 2020. STRATTEC also pays WITTE a royalty related to certain latch product sales. Such royalties incurred totaled $1.1 million in 2021. The outstanding payable balance to WITTE was $427,000 and $21,000 as of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively.
VAST LLC has investments in Sistema de Acesso Veicular Ltda, VAST China (Taicang), VAST Jingzhou Co. Ltd., VAST Shanghai Co., VAST Fuzhou and Minda-VAST Access Systems. The operations under VAST Fuzhou closed during our fiscal 2021, and the land and building owned by VAST Fuzhou are currently for sale. Sistema de Acesso Veicular Ltda is located in Brazil and services customers in South America. VAST China (Taicang), VAST Jingzhou Co. Ltd, and VAST Shanghai Co. (collectively known as VAST China), provide a base of operations to service each VAST partner’s automotive customers in the Asian market. Minda-VAST Access Systems is based in Pune, India and is a 50:50 joint venture between VAST LLC and Minda Management Services Limited, an affiliate of both Minda Corporation Limited and Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group of New Delhi, India (collectively “Minda”). Minda and its affiliates cater to the needs of all major car, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, tractor and off-road vehicle manufacturers in India. They are a leading manufacturer in the Indian marketplace of security & access products, handles, automotive safety, restraint systems, driver information and telematics systems for both OEMs and the aftermarket. VAST LLC also maintains branch offices in South Korea and Japan in support of customer sales and engineering requirements.
VAST LLC investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Results of the VAST LLC foreign subsidiaries and joint venture are reported on a one-month lag basis. The activities of the VAST LLC foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures resulted in equity earnings of joint ventures to STRATTEC of approximately $2.6 million during 2021 and equity loss of joint ventures of $565,000 during 2020. This 2020 equity loss of joint ventures included a $2 million impairment charge related to its Minda-VAST Access Systems joint venture in India. STRATTEC’s portion of this impairment charge totaled $667,000. During 2021, capital contributions totaling $300,000 were made to VAST LLC for purposes of funding operations in Brazil. STRATTEC’s portion of the capital contributions totaled $100,000. During 2020, no capital contributions were made to VAST LLC.
ADAC-STRATTEC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, was formed in fiscal year 2007 to support injection molding and door handle assembly operations in Mexico. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC was 51 percent owned by STRATTEC and 49 percent owned by ADAC for all periods presented in this report. An additional Mexican entity, ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico, is wholly owned by ADAC-STRATTEC LLC. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC’s financial results are consolidated with the financial results of STRATTEC and resulted in increased net income to STRATTEC of approximately $4.1 million in 2021 and $1.5 million in 2020. ADAC Charges ADAC-STRATTEC LLC an engineering, research and design fee as well as a sales fee. Such fees are calculated as a percentage of ADAC-STRATTEC LLC net sales, are included in the consolidated results of STRATTEC, and totaled $8.8 million in 2021 and $6.9 million in 2020. The related outstanding payable balance to ADAC was $1.9 million and $658,000 as of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively. Additionally, ADAC-STRATTEC LLC sells production parts to ADAC. Sales to ADAC are included in the consolidated results of STRATTEC and totaled $11.6 million in 2021 and $10.2 million in 2020. The related outstanding receivable balance from ADAC was $1.5 million and $1.0 million as of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively.
STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC (“SPA”) was formed in fiscal year 2009 to supply the North American portion of the power sliding door, lift gate and deck lid system access control products which were acquired from Delphi Corporation. SPA was 80 percent owned by STRATTEC and 20 percent owned by WITTE for all periods presented in this report. An additional Mexican entity, STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de Mexico, is wholly owned by SPA. The financial results of SPA are consolidated with the financial results of STRATTEC and resulted in increased net income to STRATTEC of approximately $6.4 million in 2021 and reduced net income to STRATTEC of approximately $1.3 million in 2020.
See further discussion under Equity Earnings (Loss) of Joint Ventures included in Notes to Financial Statements herein.
EQUITY EARNINGS (LOSS) OF JOINT VENTURES
As discussed above under the note Investment in Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries, we hold a one-third ownership interest in VAST LLC, for which we exercise significant influence but do not control and VAST LLC is not a variable interest entity of STRATTEC. Our investment in VAST LLC is accounted for using the equity method. The results of the VAST LLC foreign subsidiaries and joint venture are reported on a one-month lag basis. The following are summarized statements of operations and summarized balance sheet data for VAST LLC (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net sales
$
210,149
$
153,006
Cost of goods sold
171,930
125,012
Gross profit
38,219
27,994
Engineering, selling and administrative expense
30,605
28,812
Impairment charge
-
2,000
Income (loss) from operations
7,614
(2,818
)
Other income, net
1,681
1,556
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
9,295
(1,262
)
Provision for income taxes
1,554
Net income (loss)
$
7,741
$
(1,728
)
STRATTEC’s share of VAST LLC net
income (loss)
$
2,580
$
(576
)
Intercompany profit eliminations
(20
)
STRATTEC’s equity earnings (loss) of VAST LLC
$
2,560
$
(565
)
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents
$
7,623
$
8,549
Receivables, net
48,717
40,983
Inventories, net
27,697
22,285
Other current assets
28,592
17,674
Total current assets
112,629
89,491
Property, plant and equipment, net
69,352
63,574
Other long-term assets
17,432
14,387
Total assets
$
199,413
$
167,452
Current debt
$
4,605
$
13,072
Other current liabilities
91,373
72,878
Long-term debt
18,993
12,778
Other long-term liabilities
2,418
2,228
Total liabilities
$
117,389
$
100,956
Net assets
$
82,024
$
66,496
STRATTEC’s share of VAST LLC net assets
$
27,341
$
22,165
SAL LLC was dissolved during 2020. STRATTEC’s equity earnings of SAL LLC totaled $356,000 in 2020.
We have sales of component parts to VAST LLC, purchases of component parts from VAST LLC, expenses charged to VAST LLC for engineering and accounting services and expenses charged from VAST LLC to STRATTEC for general headquarter expenses. The following tables summarize the related party transactions with VAST LLC for the periods indicated (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Sales to VAST LLC
$
3,900
$
4,041
Purchases from VAST LLC
$
$
Expenses charged to VAST LLC
$
1,507
$
2,299
Expenses charged from VAST LLC
$
1,167
$
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Accounts receivable from VAST LLC
$
$
1,115
Accounts payable to VAST LLC
$
$
CREDIT FACILITIES
STRATTEC has a $40 million secured revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC has a $25 million secured revolving credit facility (the “ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is guaranteed by STRATTEC. The credit facilities were extended during June 2021 and both expire on August 1, 2024. Borrowings under either credit facility are secured by our U.S. cash balances, accounts receivable, inventory, and fixed assets located in the U.S. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility through May 31, 2021 was at varying rates based, at our option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Interest on borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility through May 31, 2021 was at varying rates based, at our option, on LIBOR plus 1.25 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Effective June 1, 2021, interest on borrowings under both credit facilities were at varying rates based, at our option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Both credit facilities contain a restrictive financial covenant that requires the applicable borrower to maintain a minimum net worth level. The ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility includes an additional restrictive financial covenant that requires the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of June 27, 2021, we were in compliance with all financial covenants required by these credit facilities.
Outstanding borrowings under the credit facilities referenced in the above paragraph as of the end of 2021 and 2020 were as follows (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
STRATTEC Credit Facility
$
-
$
18,000
ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility
12,000
17,000
$
12,000
$
35,000
Average outstanding borrowings and the weighted average interest rate under each such credit facility during 2021 and 2020 were as follows (thousands of dollars):
Average Outstanding
Borrowings
Weighted Average
Interest Rate
Years Ended
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
STRATTEC Credit Facility
$
8,775
$
13,827
1.2
%
2.6
%
ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility
$
14,346
$
19,121
1.4
%
2.9
%
We believe that the credit facilities referenced above are adequate, along with existing cash balances and cash flow from operations, to meet our anticipated capital expenditure, working capital, dividend and operating expenditure requirements.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, alleged breaches of contracts, product warranties, intellectual property matters and employment related matters. It is our opinion that the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of STRATTEC. With respect to warranty matters, although we cannot ensure that the future costs of warranty claims by customers will not be material, we believe our established reserves are adequate to cover potential warranty settlements.
In 1995, we recorded a provision for estimated costs to remediate an environmental contamination site at our Milwaukee facility. The facility was contaminated by a solvent spill, which occurred in 1985, from a former above ground solvent storage tank located on the east side of the facility. The reserve was originally established based on third party estimates to adequately cover the cost for active remediation of the contamination. Due to changing technology and related costs associated with active remediation of the contamination, in fiscal years 2010, 2016, and 2021, we obtained updated third party estimates of projected costs to adequately cover the cost for active remediation of this contamination and adjusted the reserve as needed. We monitor and evaluate the site with the use of these groundwater monitoring wells. An environmental consultant samples these wells one or two times a year to determine the status of the contamination and the potential for remediation of the contamination by natural attenuation, the dissipation of the contamination over time to concentrations below applicable standards. If such sampling evidences a sufficient degree of and trend toward natural attenuation of the contamination at the site, we may be able to obtain a closure letter from the regulatory authorities resolving the issue without the need for active remediation. If a sufficient degree and trend toward natural attenuation is not evidenced by sampling, a more active form of remediation beyond natural attenuation may be required. The sampling has not yet satisfied all of the requirements for closure by natural attenuation. As a result, sampling continues and the reserve remains at an amount to reflect our estimated cost of active remediation. The reserve is not measured on a discounted basis. We believe, based on findings-to-date and known environmental regulations, that the environmental reserve of $1.4 million at June 27, 2021 is adequate.
At June 27, 2021, we had purchase commitments related to zinc and other purchased parts. We also had minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases with a term in excess of one year. The purchase and minimum rental commitments are payable as follows (thousands of dollars):
Purchase
Minimum Rental
Fiscal Year
Commitments
Commitments
$
4,865
$
$
-
$
$
-
$
$
-
$
2026-2027
$
-
$
1,834
INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Currently (recoverable) payable:
Federal
$
$
(1,869
)
State
(176
)
Foreign
2,661
3,368
3,638
1,323
Deferred tax provision
1,473
(3,589
)
$
5,111
$
(2,266
)
The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the Federal statutory tax rate and the provision for income taxes were as follows:
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
U.S. statutory rate
21.0
%
21.0
%
State taxes, net of Federal tax benefit
1.1
2.1
Foreign subsidiaries
1.0
(5.8
)
Federal net operating loss carry-back statutory rate
differential
-
11.7
Global intangible low-taxed income
0.5
(4.4
)
Research and development tax credit
(2.3
)
9.9
Non-controlling interest
(5.9
)
(2.3
)
Uncertain tax positions
-
(4.0
)
Stock based compensation
0.1
(1.8
)
Other
(0.9
)
1.5
14.6
%
27.9
%
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("the CARES Act") was enacted. The CARES Act contains several income tax provisions, as well as other measures, that are intended to assist businesses impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes a five-year carryback allowance for taxable net operating losses generated in tax years 2018 through 2020, our fiscal years 2019 through 2021. We recorded an expected benefit for the carryback of our fiscal year 2020 federal net operating loss. As we carried the losses back to years beginning before January 1, 2018, the tax benefit was a result of the rate differential between the previous 35% federal tax rate and current statutory rate of 21%.
The components of deferred tax (liabilities) assets were as follows (thousands of dollars):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit
plan liabilities
$
$
Accrued warranty
Payroll-related accruals
3,044
2,259
Stock-based compensation
Inventory reserve
Environmental reserve
Repair and maintenance supply parts reserve
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Lease Liability
Right of Use Assets
(799
)
(882
)
Credit carry-forwards
1,544
3,860
Postretirement obligations
(294
)
(357
)
Accumulated depreciation
(4,663
)
(5,063
)
Accrued pension obligations
Joint ventures
1,187
1,167
Other
$
5,052
$
6,490
Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered.
Federal credit carry-forwards at June 27, 2021 resulted in future benefits of approximately $1.4 million and expire between 2030 and 2031. We currently anticipate having sufficient Federal taxable income to offset these credit carry-forwards. State credit carry-forwards at June 27, 2021 resulted in future benefits of approximately $194,000 and expire at varying times between 2025 and 2035. A valuation allowance of $153,000 has been recorded as of June 27, 2021, due to our assessment of the future realization of certain credit carry-forward benefits. We do not currently anticipate having sufficient state taxable income to offset these credit carry-forwards. Foreign income before the provision for income taxes was $5.1 million in 2021 and $7.7 million in 2020.
The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $1.6 million as of each of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 and was included in Other Long-term Liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. This liability includes approximately $1.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits at each of June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 and approximately $146,000 of accrued interest at June 27, 2021 and $147,000 at June 28, 2020. This liability does not include an amount for accrued penalties. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was approximately $1.1 million at June 27, 2021 and at June 28, 2020. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the years ended June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020 (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year
$
1,462
$
1,138
Gross increases - tax positions in prior years
Gross increases - current period tax positions
Tax years closed
(287
)
(61
)
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year
$
1,458
$
1,462
We or one of our subsidiaries files income tax returns in the United States (Federal), Wisconsin (state), Michigan (state) and various other states, Mexico and other foreign jurisdictions. Tax years open to examination by tax authorities under the statute of limitations include fiscal 2018 through 2021 for Federal, fiscal 2017 through 2021 for most states and calendar 2016 through 2020 for foreign jurisdictions.
RETIREMENT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT COSTS
We had a qualified, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (“Qualified Pension Plan”) covering substantially all U.S. associates employed by us prior to January 1, 2010. Effective December 31, 2009, the Board of Directors amended the Qualified Pension Plan to freeze benefit accruals and future eligibility. The Board of Directors subsequently approved the termination of the Qualified Pension Plan. During the quarter ended December 30, 2018, we completed a substantial portion of terminating the Qualified Pension Plan. In connection with the termination of the Qualified Pension Plan, distributions from the Qualified Pension Plan trust were made during the three month period ended December 30, 2018 to participants who elected lump-sum distributions. Additionally, during the three months ended December 30, 2018, we entered into an agreement with an insurance company to purchase from us, through a series of annuity contracts, our remaining obligations under the Qualified Pension Plan and, as a result, we settled the remaining obligations under the plan for the remaining participants utilizing funds available in the Qualified Pension Plan trust. No additional cash contributions to the trust were required to settle the pension obligations. As a result of these actions, a non-cash pre-tax settlement charge of $31.9 million was recorded during fiscal 2019. A non-cash compensation expense charge of $4.2 million was also recorded during fiscal 2019 related to the future transfer of the excess assets in the Qualified Pension Plan to a STRATTEC defined contribution plan for subsequent pay-out to eligible STRATTEC employees based on a plan approved by the Board of Directors in June 2019. An additional $4.8 million non-cash compensation expense charge related to the final transfer and pay-out of the excess Qualified Pension Plan assets was recorded during our fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2020, the excess Qualified Pension Plan assets were transferred to our defined contribution plan and distributed to eligible STRATTEC employees, which completed the full termination of the Qualified Pension Plan.
We have a noncontributory Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which is a nonqualified defined benefit plan. The SERP is funded through a Rabbi Trust with TMI Trust Company. Under the SERP, as amended December 31, 2013, participants received an accrued lump-sum benefit as of December 31, 2013 which was credited to each participant’s account. Subsequent to December 31, 2013, each eligible participant receives a supplemental retirement benefit equal to the foregoing lump-sum benefit, plus an annual benefit accrual equal to 8 percent of the participant’s base salary and cash bonus, plus annual credited interest on the participant’s account balance. All then current participants as of December 31, 2013 are fully vested in their account balances with any new individuals participating in the SERP effective on or after January 1, 2014 being subject to a five year vesting period. The SERP, which is considered a nonqualified defined benefit plan under applicable rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code, will continue to be funded through use of a Rabbi Trust to hold investment assets to be used in part to fund any future required lump sum benefit payments to participants. The Rabbi Trust assets had a value of $3.6 million at June 27, 2021 and $2.9 million at June 28, 2020, respectively. At June 27, 2021, the Rabbi Trust asset balance was included in Other Long-Term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At June 28, 2020, $217,000 of the Rabbi Trust asset balance was included in Other Current Assets and $2.7 million of the Rabbi Trust asset balance was included in Other Long-Term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Rabbi Trust assets are excluded from the pension and SERP tables below as they do not qualify as plan assets. The projected benefit obligation under the SERP, which is included in the pension and SERP tables below, was $2.8 million at June 27, 2021 and $2.3 million at June 28, 2020. The SERP has a separately determined accumulated benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits based on service rendered and current and past compensation levels. This differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumptions about future compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligation under the SERP was $2.6 million at June 27, 2021 and $2.2 million at June 28, 2020.
We also sponsor a postretirement health care plan for all U.S. associates hired prior to June 1, 2001. The expected cost of retiree health care benefits is recognized during the years the associates who are covered under the plan render service. Effective January 1, 2010, an amendment to the postretirement health care plan limited the benefit for future eligible retirees to $4,000 per plan year and the benefit is further subject to a maximum five year coverage period based on the associate’s retirement date and age. The postretirement health care plan is unfunded.
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, at June 27, 2021, which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost were as follows (thousands of dollars):
SERP
Postretirement
Net actuarial loss
1,473
Unrecognized net actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 27, 2021 which are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit) in fiscal 2022, net of tax, for the pension, SERP and postretirement plans are as follows (thousands of dollars):
SERP
Postretirement
Net actuarial loss
The following tables summarize the pension, SERP and postretirement plans’ income and expense, funded status and actuarial assumptions for the years indicated (thousands of dollars). We use a June 30 measurement date for our pension and postretirement plans.
Pension and SERP Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
Years Ended
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT
COST (CREDIT):
Service cost
$
$
$
$
Interest cost
Plan settlements
-
-
-
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
-
-
(8
)
(29
)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
$
$
$
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS:
Benefit Obligations:
Discount rate
2.06
%
2.33
%
2.01
%
2.07
%
Rate of compensation increases - SERP
3.0
%
3.0
%
n/a
n/a
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Discount rate
2.33
%
3.17
%
2.07
%
3.01
%
Rate of compensation increases - SERP
3.0
%
3.0
%
n/a
n/a
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT
OBLIGATION:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
2,293
$
2,229
$
$
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss (gain)
(26
)
Benefits paid
(231
)
(74
)
(115
)
(153
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
$
2,797
$
2,293
$
$
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$
-
$
8,645
$
-
$
-
Actual return on plan assets
-
-
-
Employer contribution
Excess Asset Transfer
-
(9,019
)
-
-
Plan settlements
-
-
-
Benefits paid
(231
)
(74
)
(115
)
(153
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
Funded status - accrued benefit obligations
$
(2,797
)
$
(2,293
)
$
(709
)
$
(821
)
AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS:
Accrued payroll and benefits (current liabilities)
(463
)
(1,039
)
(110
)
(120
)
Accrued benefit obligations (long-term liabilities)
(2,334
)
(1,254
)
(599
)
(701
)
Net amount recognized
$
(2,797
)
$
(2,293
)
$
(709
)
$
(821
)
CHANGES IN PLAN ASSETS AND BENEFIT
OBLIGATIONS RECOGNIZED IN OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net periodic benefit cost
$
$
$
$
Net actuarial loss (gain)
(26
)
Settlement loss
(65
)
-
-
-
Amortization of prior service credits
-
-
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
(10
)
(15
)
(359
)
(397
)
Total recognized in other comprehensive
(income) loss, before tax
(12
)
(377
)
(346
)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit
cost and other comprehensive loss,
before tax
$
$
$
$
For measurement purposes as it pertains to the estimated obligation associated with retirees prior to January 1, 2010, a 6.47 percent annual rate increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 2022; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 3.0 percent by the year 2029 and remain at that level thereafter. The health care cost trend assumption has a minimal effect on our postretirement benefit amounts reported.
We expect to contribute $463,000 to our SERP and $110,000 to our postretirement health care plan in fiscal 2022. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid during the fiscal years noted below (thousands of dollars):
SERP
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2027-2031
$
$
All U.S. associates may participate in our 401(k) Plan. We contribute 100 percent up to the first 5 percent of eligible compensation that a participant contributes to the plan. Our contributions to the 401(k) Plan were as follows (thousands of dollars):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Company contributions
$
1,706
$
1,709
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
We have 12,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, par value $.01 per share, with 3,805,065 and 3,749,619 shares outstanding at June 27, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters voted on by shareholders.
Our Board of Directors previously authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to 3,839,395 outstanding shares of our common stock as of June 27, 2021. As of June 27, 2021, 3,655,322 shares have been repurchased under this program at a cost of approximately $136.4 million. No shares were repurchased under this program during 2021 or 2020.
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the applicable period using the treasury stock method. Potential dilutive common shares include outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. A reconciliation of the components of the basic and diluted per share computations follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net income (loss) attributable to STRATTEC
$
22,532
$
(7,605
)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
3,788
3,737
Incremental shares - stock based compensation
-
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock
outstanding
3,852
3,737
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$
5.95
$
(2.04
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
5.85
$
(2.04
)
Potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive were as follows:
Years Ended
Number of Options
Excluded
June 27, 2021
9,010
June 28, 2020
160,254
STOCK OPTION AND PURCHASE PLANS
A summary of stock option activity under our stock incentive plan was as follows:
Weighted Average
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Shares
Exercise Price
Term (in years)
(in thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2019
117,360
$
31.85
Exercised
(26,500
)
$
18.00
Balance at June 28, 2020
90,860
$
35.88
Exercised
(18,236
)
$
28.85
Balance at June 27, 2021
72,624
$
37.65
1.5
$
Exercisable as of:
June 27, 2021
72,624
$
37.65
1.5
$
June 28, 2020
90,860
$
35.88
2.4
$
-
No options were granted during fiscal 2021 or 2020.
A summary of restricted stock activity under our stock incentive plan was as follows:
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Shares
Fair Value
Nonvested Balance at June 30, 2019
63,757
$
39.47
Granted
39,150
$
21.80
Vested
(27,318
)
$
37.86
Forfeited
(6,195
)
$
34.38
Nonvested Balance at June 28, 2020
69,394
$
30.59
Granted
48,300
$
21.20
Vested
(34,669
)
$
34.95
Forfeited
(1,050
)
$
22.84
Nonvested Balance at June 27, 2021
81,975
$
23.31
We have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan to provide substantially all U.S. full-time associates an opportunity to purchase shares of STRATTEC common stock through payroll deductions. A participant may contribute a maximum of $5,200 per calendar year to the plan. On the last day of each month or if such date is not a trading day on the most recent previous trading day, participant account balances are used to purchase shares of our common stock at the average of the highest and lowest reported sales prices of a share of STRATTEC common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on such date. A total of 100,000 shares may be issued under the plan. Shares issued from treasury stock under the plan totaled 2,541 at an average price of $31.03 during 2021 and 4,246 at an average price of $19.42 during 2020. A total of 51,330 shares remain available for purchase under the plan as of June 27, 2021.
EXPORT SALES
Total export sales, sales from the United States to locations outside of the United States, are summarized as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net Sales
%
Net Sales
%
Export sales
$
130,260
27%
$
114,381
30%
Countries for which customer sales account for ten percent or more of total net sales are summarized as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net Sales
%
Net Sales
%
Export sales into Canada
$
34,927
7%
$
46,191
12%
PRODUCT SALES
Sales by product group were as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net Sales
%
Net Sales
%
Door handles & exterior trim
$
126,218
%
$
98,168
%
Keys & locksets
116,572
101,666
Power access
95,245
63,829
Latches
51,211
45,295
Aftermarket & OE service
47,138
40,742
Driver controls
40,031
29,649
Other
8,880
5,951
$
485,295
%
$
385,300
%
SALES AND RECEIVABLE CONCENTRATION
Sales to our largest customers were as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):
Years Ended
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Net Sales
%
Net Sales
%
General Motors Company
$
146,547
%
$
102,487
%
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
85,629
85,010
Ford Motor Company
67,670
52,666
$
299,846
%
$
240,163
%
Receivables from our largest customers were as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of gross receivables):
June 27, 2021
June 28, 2020
Receivables
%
Receivables
%
General Motors Company
$
22,934
%
$
12,630
%
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
11,938
5,881
Ford Motor Company
8,204
6,101
$
43,076
%
$
24,612
%
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
The following data are in thousands of dollars except per share amounts.
Net Income (Loss)
Attributable to
Earnings (Loss)
per Share
Quarter
Net Sales
Gross Profit
STRATTEC
Basic
Diluted
First
$
126,234
$
22,511
$
8,008
$
2.13
$
2.11
Second
127,360
22,241
7,113
1.88
1.85
Third
121,644
18,654
4,485
1.18
1.15
Fourth
110,057
15,252
2,926
0.77
0.75
TOTAL
$
485,295
$
78,658
$
22,532
$
5.95
$
5.85
First
$
119,962
$
15,886
$
1,244
$
0.34
$
0.33
Second
106,283
10,333
(1,341
)
(0.36
)
(0.36
)
Third
116,938
17,010
2,994
0.80
0.79
Fourth
42,117
(7,783
)
(10,502
)
(2.80
)
(2.80
)
TOTAL
$
385,300
$
35,446
$
(7,605
)
$
(2.04
)
$
(2.04
)

---

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

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by STRATTEC in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by STRATTEC in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of STRATTEC’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report at reaching a level of reasonable assurance. It should be noted that in designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. We have designed our disclosure controls and procedures to reach a level of reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 27, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The consolidated financial statements and notes included in this annual report have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and necessarily include some amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.
We, as management of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, are responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The system of internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the financial statements is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for reliability through a program of internal audits. Actions are taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation.
The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, consisting entirely of independent directors, meets regularly with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviews audit plans and results, as well as management’s actions taken in discharging responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, and internal control. Crowe LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has direct and confidential access to the Audit Committee at all times to discuss the results of their audits.
Management assessed the Corporation’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of June 27, 2021, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of June 27, 2021, its system of internal control over financial reporting was effective and met the criteria of the Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Crowe LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.
/s/ Frank J. Krejci
/s/ Patrick J. Hansen
Frank J. Krejci
Patrick J. Hansen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Shareholders and the Board of Directors of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of June 27, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 27, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of June 27, 2021, the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended June 27, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements") and our report dated September 2, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion.
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 Annual Report on Internal Controls 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/ Crowe LLP
Oak Brook, Illinois
September 2, 2021

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information included in our Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 2, 2021, under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance Matters-Code of Business Ethics,” “Audit Committee Matters-Audit Committee Financial Expert,” “Executive Officers,” “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” “Director’s Meetings and Committees - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,” and “Corporate Governance Matters-Director Nominations” is incorporated herein by reference.
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is an “audit committee” for purposes of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee consist of three outside independent directors, David R. Zimmer, Audit Committee Chairman, Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr., and Michael J. Koss.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information included in our Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 2, 2021, under “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The information included in our Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 2, 2021, under “Security Ownership” is incorporated herein by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes share information, as of June 27, 2021, for our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan.
Plan Category
Number of
common shares to
be issued
upon exercise
of outstanding
options,
warrants, and
rights
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options,
warrants, and
rights
Number of
common shares
available for future
issuance under
equity
compensation plans
Equity compensation plans
approved by shareholders
72,624
$
37.65
219,084
Equity compensation plans not
approved by shareholders
-
-
-
Total
72,624
$
37.65
219,084

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information included in our Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 2, 2021, under “Transactions With Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance Matters-Director Independence” is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information included in our Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 2, 2021, under “Audit Committee Matters-Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)Financial Statements
See Item 8 for the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K
(b)
Exhibits
See the following List of Exhibits:
Exhibit
3.1 (13)
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
*
3.2 (20)
Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
*
3.3 (1)
Amended By-laws of the Company
*
4.1 (21)
Description of Registrants’ Securities
*
4.2 (2)
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2011, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.3 (12)
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2017, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.4 (13)
Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2012, made by STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION in favor of BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.5 (5)
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2013, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.6 (6)
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2015, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.7 (10)
Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2016, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.8 (12)
Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2017, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.9 (15)
Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2018, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.10 (19)
Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2019, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.11 (25)
Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2021, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.12 (6)
Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2012, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.13 (6)
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2014, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.14 (6)
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2015, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.15 (9)
Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2016, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.16 (12)
Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2017, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.17 (14)
Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2018, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.18 (16)
Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2018, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.19 (19)
Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2019, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
4.20 (25)
Amendment No. 8 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2021, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender
*
10.1 (22)**
Amended and Restated STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference from Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2020.)
*
10.2 (23)**
Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with Employees to be used under the Amended and Restated STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Stock Incentive Plan
*
10.3 (18)**
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Team Incentive Plan for STRATTEC: Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers
*
10.4 (18)**
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Team Incentive Plan for STRATTEC: Bonus Plan for Non-employee Members of the Board of Directors
*
10.5 (18)**
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Team Incentive Plan for STRATTEC: Bonus Plan for Salaried Employees and Represented Employees
*
10.6 (7) **
Amended and Restated STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
*
10.7 (3)**
Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank J. Krejci made as of May 5, 2010
*
10.8 (3)**
Employment Agreement between the Company and Patrick J. Hansen made as of May 5, 2010
*
10.9 (3)**
Employment Agreement between the Company and Rolando J. Guillot made as of May 5, 2010
*
10.10 (3)**
Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard P. Messina made as of May 5, 2010
*
10.11 (13) **
Employment Agreement between the Company and Al Hamdan made as of May 4, 2017
*
10.12 (11) **
Change of Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank J. Krejci made as of July 1, 2016
*
10.13 (11) **
Change of Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Patrick J. Hansen made as of July 1, 2016
*
10.14 (11) **
Change of Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Rolando J. Guillot made as of July 1, 2016
*
10.15 (11) **
Change of Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard P. Messina made as of July 1, 2016
*
10.16 (13)**
Change of Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Al Hamdan made as of May 4, 2017
*
10.17 (8)**
Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with non-employee directors
*
10.18 (24)**
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (Amended effective as of February 22, 2021)
*
10.19 (4)**
Letter Agreement between the Company and Harold M. Stratton II made as of September 1, 2012
*
16.1 (26)
Letter regarding Change in Auditors
*
21 (17)
Subsidiaries of the Company
*
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated September 2, 2021
23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated September 2, 2021
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification for Frank J. Krejci, Chief Executive Officer
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification for Patrick J. Hansen, Chief Financial Officer
32 (27)
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certifications
Interactive Data Files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T. XBRL Instance Document - the XBRL Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2021 has been formatted in Inline XBRL.
*
Previously filed
**
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
(1)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on October 7, 2005.
(2)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2011.
(3)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the March 28, 2010 Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2010.
(4)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the July 1, 2012 Form 10-K filed on September 6, 2012.
(5)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2013.
(6)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2015.
(7)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2013.
(8)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 5, 2014.
(9)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2016.
(10)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2016.
(11)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 8, 2016.
(12)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2017.
(13)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 7, 2017.
(14)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2018.
(15)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on September 28, 2018.
(16)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on December 31, 2018.
(17)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 6, 2018.
(18)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 5, 2019.
(19)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2019.
(20)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2019.
(21)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 3, 2020.
(22)
Incorporated by reference from Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2020.
(23)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2020.
(24)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2021.
(25)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2021.
(26)
Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on October 9, 2020.
(27)
This certification is not "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.