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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (No Fee Required) For the
transition period from _______________ to _______________
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Commission File Number 0-11676
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BEL FUSE INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW JERSEY 22-1463699
- -------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S.Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
198 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
(201) 432-0463
(Address and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's
principal executive office)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
----
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.10 par value
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
---- ----
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
Aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates as of March
15, 1999 was approximately $151,681,000 (based upon the closing sales price of
those shares reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System for that day).
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 15, 1999:
2,608,959 Class A Common Stock; 2,608,009 Class B Common Stock.
Documents incorporated by reference:
Bel Fuse Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is incorporated by reference into Part III.
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BEL FUSE INC.
INDEX
Part I Page
- ------ ----
Item 1. Business .............................................. 1
Item 2. Properties ............................................ 5
Item 3. Legal Proceedings ..................................... 5
Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security
Holders .............................................. 5
Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant .................. 6
Part II
- -------
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity
and Related Stockholder Matters ..................... 8
Item 6. Selected Financial Data ............................... 9
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations ........................................... 10
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk .................................... 17
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data ................................................. 17*
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ............... 18
Part III
- --------
Item 10. Directors of the Registrant; Compliance with
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act .................... 18
Item 11. Executive Compensation ................................. 18
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management ...................... 18
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions .......................................... 18
Part IV
- -------
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
and Reports on Form 8-K ............................... 19
Signatures ........................................................... 22
*Page F-1 follows page 17.
PART I
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Item 1. Business
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General
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Bel Fuse Inc. (the "Company") is organized under New Jersey law. The
Company does not have reportable segments as defined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". The Company is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale
of products used in networking, telecommunication, automotive and consumer
electronic applications. The Company operates facilities in the United States,
Europe and the Far East. The Company maintains its principal executive offices
at 198 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302; telephone (201)
432-0463. The term "Company" as used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers
to Bel Fuse Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise specified.
On October 2, 1998, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire
the manufacturing assets, primarily consisting of inventory and fixed assets, of
Lucent Technologies, Inc.'s ("Lucent") Power Systems Signal Transformer product
line in exchange for approximately $27 million in cash. Under the terms of the
agreement, the Company, among other things, will continue to supply Lucent's
telecom magnetics requirements for forty-two months. It is the Company's
intention to move the majority of the manufacturing of this business to the
Republic of China. The Company has established research and development, support
and legacy product manufacturing in Dallas, Texas. In addition, the Dallas
facility will maintain a marketing office to sell and service the Lucent
customers.
Additionally, Lucent and the Company entered into a Transition Services
Agreement whereby Lucent has agreed to provide contract labor and transitional
services to the Company for an agreed price until the earlier of June 30, 1999
or the date on which Signal Transformer Manufacturing operations and the
purchased assets are relocated to the Company's manufacturing facilities.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
("Forward-Looking Statements"). Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in such forward-looking statements. Certain factors which could
materially affect such results and the future performance of the Company are
described below under "Risks and Uncertainties" and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Other Matters."
-1-
Product Groups
- --------------
Magnetic Components
-------------------
The Company manufactures a broad range of magnetic components. These
wire-wound devices perform such functions as signal delay, signal timing,
signal conditioning, impedance matching, filtering, isolation, power
conversion and power transfer. The Company directs its design and marketing
efforts to supply the needs of the following markets: manufacturers of
networking and telecommunication equipment, computer manufacturers, and
consumer, automotive and industrial electronic manufacturers. Transformers
may be either standard devices to meet a market-based requirement or
developed to meet an individual customer need. They may be used either in
conjunction with an Integrated Circuit (IC) reference design or used
independently to meet the needs of a unique circuit.
Value-added Modules and Thick Film Hybrids
------------------------------------------
The Company supplies value-added modules to end users whose requirements can
be satisfied by combining in one integrated package one or more of the
Company's capabilities in surface mount assembly, automatic winding, hybrid
fabrication and component encapsulation.
Thick film hybrids are dense, reliable, high quality electronic
microcircuits. The term "thick film hybrid" describes a method for screen
printing conductors, resistors and capacitors onto a ceramic substrate. This
substrate becomes a hybrid circuit when components such as integrated
circuits, transistors, capacitors, and inductors are added to the substrate
in order to form a functioning electrical circuit. The Company incorporates
facets of this technology in the design and manufacture of many of its other
products, including packaged modules.
Miniature and Micro Fuses
-------------------------
Fuses prevent currents in an electrical or electronic circuit from exceeding
certain predetermined levels. Fuses act as a safety valve to protect
expensive components from damage or to cut off high currents before they can
generate enough heat to cause smoke or fire. The Company manufactures
miniature and micro fuses for supplementary circuit protection. The Company
sells its fuses to a worldwide market. They are used in such products as
televisions, VCR's, power supplies, computers, telephones and networking
equipment.
-2-
Marketing
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The Company sells its products to approximately 458 customers throughout
North America, Western Europe and the Far East. Sales are made through
independent sales representative organizations and authorized distributors who
are overseen by the Company's sales personnel throughout the world. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had a sales staff of 23 persons that supported 53
sales representative organizations and 8 non-exclusive distributors.
The Company has written agreements with all of its sales representative
organizations and major distributors. Written agreements terminable on short
notice by either party are standard in the industry.
Finished products manufactured by the Company in its Far East facilities
are, in general, either sold to the Company's Jersey City facility for resale to
customers in the Americas or are shipped directly to other customers throughout
the world. For further information regarding the Company's geographic
operations, see Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company had sales to two customers in excess of ten percent of 1998
consolidated sales. The amounts and percentage of consolidated sales were
approximately $23,055,000 (25.4%) and $13,385,000 (14.7%), respectively. The
loss of either one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Research and Development
- ------------------------
The Company's research and development efforts in 1998 were spread among
all of the Company's current product groups. The Company's research and
development facilities are located in California, Indiana, Texas, and Hong Kong.
In addition, the Company maintains continuing programs to improve the
reliability of its products and to design specialized assembly equipment to
increase manufacturing efficiencies. Research and development costs amounted to
$4,989,000 in 1998.
Suppliers
- ---------
The Company has multiple suppliers for most of the raw materials that it
purchases. Where possible, the Company has contractual agreements with suppliers
to assure a continuing supply of critical components.
With respect to those items which are purchased from single sources, the
Company believes that comparable items would be available in the event that
there were a termination of the Company's existing business relationships with
any such particular supplier. While such a termination could produce a
disruption in production, the Company does not believe that the termination of
business with any of its suppliers would have a material adverse effect on its
long-term operations.
-3-
Backlog
- -------
The Company normally manufactures products against firm orders.
Cancellation and return arrangements are normally negotiated by the Company on a
transactional basis. The Company's backlog of orders as of February 26, 1999 was
approximately $33.4 million, as compared with a backlog of $15.6 million as of
February 25, 1998. Management expects that all of the Company's backlog as of
February 26, 1999 will be shipped by December 31, 1999. Such expectation
constitutes a Forward-Looking Statement. The Company's major customers have
negotiated shorter lead times on purchase orders and annual contracts with the
goal of reducing their inventories. Accordingly, backlog is no longer as
reliable an indicator of the timing of future sales as it has been in the past.
Trademarks and Patents
- ----------------------
The Company has been granted a number of U.S. patents and has additional
U.S. patent applications pending relating to its products. While the Company
believes that the issued patents are defendable and that the pending patent
applications relate to patentable inventions, there can be no assurance that a
patent will issue from the applications or that its existing patents can be
successfully defended. It is management's opinion that the successful
continuation and operation of the Company's business does not depend upon the
ownership of patents or the granting of pending patent applications, but upon
the innovative skills, technical competence and marketing and managerial
abilities of its personnel. The patents have a life of seventeen years from the
date of issue or twenty years from filing of patent applications. The Company's
existing patents expire on various dates from September 30, 2002 to December 15,
2013.
The Company utilizes four U.S. registered trademarks - BELFUSE, BEL,
SLO-BEL and SURFUSE - to identify various products that it manufactures. The
trademarks survive as long as they are in use and the registrations of these
trademarks are renewed.
Competition
- -----------
There are numerous independent companies and divisions of major companies
which manufacture products that are competitive with one or more of the
Company's products. Some of the Company's competitors possess greater financial,
marketing and other resources than those available to the Company. The Company's
ability to compete is dependent upon several factors, including product
performance, quality, reliability, design and price. For information regarding
the effect of price competition on the Company's consolidated results of
operations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
Employees
- ---------
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had 965 full-time employees. The
Company employed 87 people in its U.S. facilities and 878 throughout the rest of
the world excluding workers supplied by independent contractors. The Company's
employees are not represented by any labor union. The Company believes that its
relations with employees are satisfactory.
-4-
Risks and Uncertainties
- -----------------------
The Company's business is subject to several risks and uncertainties,
including: (a) the risk that it may be unable to respond adequately to rapidly
changing technological developments in its industry, (b) risks associated with
its Far East operations described herein under the caption "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Other
Matters," (c) the highly competitive nature of the Company's industry and the
impact that competitors' new products and pricing may have upon the Company, (d)
the likelihood that revenues may vary significantly from one accounting period
to another accounting period due to a variety of factors, including customers'
buying decisions, the Company's product mix and general market and economic
conditions, (e) the Company's reliance on certain substantial customers, (f) the
risk that Year 2000 compliance issues may cause the Company difficulties
internationally and domestically and (g) risks associated with the Company's
ability to manufacture and deliver products in a manner that is responsive to
its customers' needs. Such factors, as well as shortfalls in the Company's
results of operations as compared with analysts' expectations, capital market
conditions and general economic conditions, may also cause substantial
volatility in the market price of the Company's common stock.
Item 2. Properties
----------
The Company currently occupies approximately 337,000 square feet of
manufacturing, warehouse, office, technical and staff quarter space worldwide.
The Company has additional production processing arrangements with contractors
in the People's Republic of China, occupying approximately 61,000 square feet of
manufacturing space. In addition to the Company's principal corporate offices in
New Jersey, the Company maintains facilities in The People's Republic of China,
Hong Kong and Macau in the Far East, in California, Texas and Indiana in the
U.S.A. and in the United Kingdom in Europe. The Company also owns an idle
facility of 46,300 square feet in Illinois. Approximately 55% of the 337,000
square feet the Company occupies is owned, while the remainder is leased. See
Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information
pertaining to leased properties.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
-----------------
The Company is not presently subject to any legal proceedings which are
material to the consolidated results of operations or financial condition of the
Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
---------------------------------------------------
No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders during
the fourth quarter of 1998.
-5-
Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant
------------------------------------
The following table and biographical outlines set forth the positions and
offices within the Company presently held by each executive officer of the
Company and a brief account of the business experience of each such officer for
the past five years.
Positions and Offices
Officer With the Company/
Name and Age Since Business Experience
- ------------ ------- ---------------------
Elliot Bernstein, 75 1954 Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Daniel Bernstein, 45 1985 President, Managing
Director of the Company's
Macau Subsidiary and Director
Robert H. Simandl, 70 1967 Secretary and Director
Arnold Sutta, 72 1985 Vice President of Sales
Peter Christoffer, 57 1986 Vice President of Research
and Development
Colin Dunn, 54 1992 Vice President and Treasurer
Joseph Meccariello, 48 1995 Vice President of
Manufacturing
Elliot Bernstein has been a Director of the Company since its inception in
January 1949, served as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1954 to 1992,
and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1992.
One of his sons (Daniel Bernstein) is the President and a Director of the
Company, and his brother (Howard Bernstein) is a Director of the Company.
Daniel Bernstein has served the Company as President since June 1992. He
previously served as Vice President (1985-1992) and Treasurer (1986-1992) and
has served as a Director since 1986. He has occupied other positions with the
Company since 1978. He was appointed Managing Director of the Company's Macau
subsidiary during 1991. Daniel Bernstein is Elliot Bernstein's son and Howard
Bernstein's nephew.
-6-
Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued)
------------------------------------
Robert H. Simandl, a Director and Secretary of the Company since 1967, is a
member of the law firm of Robert H. Simandl, Counselor At Law. He has been a
practicing attorney in New Jersey since 1953.
Arnold Sutta joined the Company in 1966 and has served the Company as Vice
President, Sales since 1985. Mr. Sutta supervises the worldwide sales force of
the Company.
Peter Christoffer has served the Company as Vice President since 1986.
Since 1991, he has been responsible for the engineering and production of
value-added modules at the Company's Indiana facility.
Colin Dunn joined the Company in 1991 as Finance Manager and in 1992 was
named Vice President of Finance and Treasurer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Dunn was Vice President of Finance and Operations at Kentek Information Systems,
Inc. from 1985 to 1991 and had previously held a series of senior management
positions with Braintech Inc. and Weyerhaeuser Company.
Joseph Meccariello joined the Company in 1979 as a Manager of Mechanical
Engineering and in 1994 became the Deputy Managing Director of the Company's
Hong Kong subsidiary, Bel Fuse, Ltd. In 1995 he was named Vice President of
Manufacturing with responsibility for Far East production operations.
-7-
PART II
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Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters
(a) Market Information
-------------------
On July 9, 1998 the shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation authorizing a new voting Class A Common Stock, par
value $.10 per share, and a new non-voting Class B Common Stock, par value $.10
per share ("Class A" and "Class B," respectively), which are traded in the
over-the-counter market. The following table sets forth the high and low closing
sales price range (as reported by National Quotation Bureau, Inc.) for the
Common Stock in the over-the-counter market for each quarter during the past two
years.
High Low
---- ---
Year Ended December 31, 1997:
First Quarter......................... $12 7/16 $12 1/8
Second Quarter........................ 13 3/8 13 5/16
Third Quarter......................... 19 3/8 19
Fourth Quarter........................ 19 3/4 19
Year Ended December 31, 1998:
First Quarter ........................ 25 3/16 18 1/2
Second Quarter........................ 34 21
Class A Class B Class A Class B
------- ------- ------- -------
High Low
---- ---
Third Quarter ........................ $21 3/4 $20 $14 3/4 $13 5/8
Fourth Quarter ....................... 40 34 3/8 12 11
The Common Stock is reported under the symbol BELFA and BELFB in the Nasdaq
National Market.
(b) Holders
As of March 15, 1999 there were 193 registered shareholders of the
Company's Class A Common Stock and 197 registered shareholders of Class B Common
Stock plus an estimated 2,712 beneficial shareholders of Class A Common Stock
and 2,715 beneficial shareholders of Class B Common Stock.
(c) Dividends
The Company did not pay any cash dividends during 1998 or 1997. There are
no contractual restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends. On
February 1, 1999, the Company paid a $.10 per share dividend to all shareholders
of record at January 11, 1999 of Class B common stock in the total amount of
$260,331.
-8-
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
-----------------------
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Selected Statements of Operations Data:
Net sales ................... $90,754 $73,531 $65,458 $70,706 $45,747
Cost of sales ............... 58,654 50,724 46,539 50,590 36,349
Selling, general and
administrative expenses ... 16,648 13,830 11,494 12,554 11,458
Other income - net
(a) ....................... 1,579 1,428 2,306 1,758 --
Earnings (loss)
before income taxes ....... 17,031 10,405 9,731 9,320 (1,761)
Income tax provision
(benefit) ................. 1,813 1,555 1,925 1,222 (203)
Net earnings (loss) ......... 15,218 8,850 7,806 8,098 (1,558)
Earnings (loss) per
common share - basic ...... 2.94 1.74 1.54 1.62 (.32)
Earnings (loss) per
common share - diluted .... 2.89 1.72 1.52 1.59 (.32)
(a) Includes gains of $1,267 and $1,359 from the sale of marketable securities
during 1996 and 1995, respectively.
As of December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital ........................ $40,809 $44,055 $36,873 $28,644 $22,670
Total assets ........................... 103,625 83,152 71,614 64,475 51,653
Stockholders' equity ................... 88,806 72,829 63,399 55,889 45,926
Book value per share ................... 17.11 14.22 12.50 11.06 9.25
Return on average
total assets, % ....................... 12.5 11.6 11.5 13.9 (3.0)
Return on average
stockholders'
equity, % ............................. 19.0 13.1 13.1 16.0 (3.4)
-9-
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
the Company's consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto.
The discussion of results, causes and trends should not be construed to infer
any conclusion that such results, causes or trends will necessarily continue in
the future.
Results of Operations
- ---------------------
The following table sets forth, for the past three years, the percentage
relationship to net sales of certain items included in the Company's
consolidated statements of operations.
Percentage of Net Sales
----------------------------
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Net sales .................................. 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales .............................. 64.6 69.0 71.1
Selling, general and administrative
expenses ................................. 18.3 18.8 17.6
Other income, net of interest expense ...... 1.7 1.9 3.5
Earnings before income taxes ............... 18.8 14.2 14.9
Income tax provision ....................... 2.0 2.1 2.9
Net earnings ............................... 16.8 12.1 12.0
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage
increase or decrease of certain items included in the Company's consolidated
statements of operations.
Increase from
Prior Period
------------------------------
1998 Compared 1997 Compared
with 1997 with 1996
------------- --------------
Net sales............................ 23.4% 12.3 %
Cost of sales........................ 15.6 9.0
Selling, general and administrative
expenses............................ 20.4 20.3
-10-
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations (continued)
--------------------------------------
Sales
-----
Net sales increased 23.4% from 1997 to 1998 from approximately $73.5
million to $90.8 million. The Company attributes this increase primarily to
sales growth of network magnetic products and telecom magnetic products recently
acquired from Lucent, offset, in part, by reduced sales of value added modules.
Net sales increased 12.3% from 1996 to 1997 from approximately $65.5
million to $73.5 million. The Company attributes this increase primarily to
sales growth of network magnetic products and fuse products, offset, in part, by
reduced sales of value-added modules. Such reduced sales reflect the termination
of certain contracts.
Cost of Sales
-------------
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased 4.4% from 69.0% in
1997 to 64.6% in 1998. The decrease in the cost of sales percentage is primarily
attributable to lower material content and lower overhead and labor costs
principally due to higher sales volume. The Company regularly reviews its
inventory for slow-moving, obsolete and over-stocked inventory. As at December
31, 1998 the inventory reserve for those items was approximately $764,000.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased 2.1% from 71.1% in
1996 to 69.0% in 1997. The decrease in the cost of sales percentage is primarily
attributable to lower material content offset, in part, by increases in direct
labor costs due to the then current sales mix (which was more labor intensive)
and to a lesser extent increases in overheads required to support the increase
in unit production. The Company regularly reviews its inventory for slow moving,
obsolete and over-stocked inventory. As at December 31, 1997 the inventory
reserve for those items was approximately $522,000.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
--------------------------------------------
The percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses
to net sales remained relatively constant, decreasing from 18.8% in 1997 to
18.3% in 1998. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in dollar
amount by 20.4%. The Company attributes the increase in dollar amount of such
expenses primarily to increases in sales and marketing salaries and sales
related expenses, recruitment expenses to staff the signal transformer product
line and, to a lesser extent, amortization of goodwill acquired from Lucent.
-11-
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations (continued)
--------------------------------------
The percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses
to net sales increased from 17.6% in 1996 to 18.8% in 1997. The Company
attributes the increase primarily to increases in sales salaries and sales
related expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in
dollar amount by 20.3%. The Company attributes the increase in dollar amount of
such expenses primarily to increased sales and increases in sales salaries and
sales-related expenses and to a lesser extent increased professional fees and
severance expenses.
Other Income and Expenses; Gain on Sale
---------------------------------------
Other income, consisting principally of interest and dividends earned on
cash equivalents and marketable securities, increased by approximately $150,000
from the year 1997 to 1998. The increase is primarily due to higher earnings on
invested funds due to greater average balances in 1998 compared to 1997, offset,
in part, by the use of cash and cash equivalents used in the acquisition of the
signal transformer business from Lucent.
Other income decreased by $878,179 from the year 1996 to 1997. The decrease
is primarily due to the gain on the sale of 112,485 shares of Technitrol, Inc.
common stock recognized during the year 1996, offset, in part, by higher
earnings on invested funds due to greater average balances in 1997 compared to
1996.
Provision for Income Taxes
--------------------------
The Company has historically followed a practice of reinvesting a portion
of the earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the expansion of its foreign
operations. If the unrepatriated earnings were distributed to the parent
corporation rather than reinvested in the Far East, such funds would be subject
to United States Federal income taxes. No earnings were repatriated during 1998,
1997, or 1996. The Company files income tax returns in every jurisdiction in
which it has reason to believe it is subject to tax. Historically, the Company
has been subject to examination by various taxing jurisdictions. To date, none
of these examinations has resulted in any material additional tax. Nonetheless,
any tax jurisdiction may contend that a filing position claimed by the Company
regarding one or more of its transactions is contrary to that jurisdiction's
laws or regulations.
The provision for incomes taxes in 1998 was $1,813,000 as compared to
$1,555,000 in 1997. The increase in the provision is due primarily to higher
earnings before income taxes in 1998 versus 1997, offset, in part, by certain
recruitment expenses and the amortization of goodwill incurred in the U.S. in
connection with the signal transformer product line acquired from Lucent and
lower foreign income tax rates.
-12-
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations (continued)
--------------------------------------
The provision for income taxes in 1997 was $1,555,000 as compared to
$1,925,000 in 1996. This decrease is due primarily to lower United States
earnings before income taxes for the year 1997 versus 1996.
The Company's effective tax rate has been lower than the statutory United
States corporate rate primarily as a result of the lower tax rates in Hong Kong
and Macau.
Inflation
---------
During the past two years, the effect of inflation on the Company's
profitability was not material. Historically, fluctuations of the U.S. dollar
against other major currencies have not significantly affected the Company's
foreign operations as most transactions have been denominated in U.S. dollars or
currencies linked to the U.S. dollar.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------
Historically, the Company has financed its capital expenditures through
cash flows from operating activities. Management believes that the cash flow
from operations, combined with its existing capital base and the Company's
available lines of credit, will be sufficient to funds its operations for the
near term.
The Company has lines of credit, all of which were unused at December 31,
1998, in the aggregate amount of $7 million, of which $5 million is from
domestic banks and $2 million is from foreign banks. On February 24, 1999, the
Company signed a letter of commitment to increase the domestic lines of credit
to $11 million.
During 1998 the Company's cash decreased by $14.3 million, reflecting a
$27.5 million cash payment for the acquisition of the signal transformer
business from Lucent and $3.7 million in purchase of plant and equipment, offset
by $15.8 million provided by operating activities and $1.1 million provided by
the exercise of incentive stock options and contractor repayments.
Cash and accounts receivable comprised approximately 30.9% and 48.6% of the
Company's total assets at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
Company's working capital ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to current
liabilities) was 4.0 to 1 and 5.7 to 1 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
-13-
Other Matters
- -------------
Year 2000
- ---------
Background
----------
The Year 2000 problem is the result of computer programs being written
using two digits (rather than four) to define the applicable years. Any of the
Company's programs that have time-sensitive software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000, which could result in
miscalculations or system failures.
The Company relies heavily on computer technologies to operate its
business. In 1997 the Company conducted an initial assessment of its information
technology to determine which Year 2000 related problems might cause processing
errors or computer system failures. The Company also did a complete analysis of
its computer system. Based on the results of that analysis, the Company's
executive management identified the Year 2000 problem as a top corporate
priority and established a team to provide a solution. Based on the team's
evaluation, it was also decided to upgrade the entire computer system at the
same time as solving the Year 2000 problem. Though the cost of the year 2000
problem is not material, the estimate for evaluation and remediation of the
system software and the upgrading of the computer system, including the solution
for the Year 2000 problem, is approximately $350,000.
The following discussion of the implications of the Year 2000 problem for
the Company contains numerous forward-looking statements based on inherently
uncertain information. The cost of the project and the date on which the Company
plans to complete its internal Year 2000 modifications are based on the
Company's best estimates, which were derived utilizing a number of assumptions
of future events including the continued availability of internal and external
resources, third party modifications and other factors. However, there can be no
assurances that these estimates will be achieved, and actual results could
differ. Moreover, although the Company believes it will be able to make the
necessary modifications in advance, there can be no assurances that failure to
modify the systems would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
In addition, the Company places a high degree of reliance on computer
systems of third parties, such as customers, trade suppliers and computer
hardware and commercial software suppliers. Although the Company is assessing
the readiness of these third parties and preparing contingency plans, there can
be no guarantee that the failure of these third parties to modify their systems
in advance of December 31, 1999, would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
Readiness
---------
The Company's Year 2000 project is intended to ensure that all critical
systems, devices and applications, as well as data exchanged with customers,
trade suppliers and other third parties have been evaluated and will be suitable
for continued use into and beyond the Year 2000.
-14-
Responsibility for implementation of the project was assigned to an
internal team of the Company. General priorities were defined, dependencies
identified, preliminary delivery dates assigned, detailed project plans
developed, and internal and external technical resources assigned or hired. In
addition, internal management reporting requirements were established. Plans and
progress against these plans were reviewed by the Company's Chief Financial
Officer.
The Company has completed the majority of the project and is on schedule to
be in full compliance during 1999. During 1999, the Company will continue to
conduct a rigorous final level of review called integrated testing under
Post-Year 2000 conditions.
Since early 1997, the Company has required Year 2000 compliance statements
from all suppliers of the Company's computer hardware and commercial software.
Regardless of the compliance statements, all third party hardware and software
will also be subjected to testing to reconfirm the Year 2000 readiness.
Cost
----
The Company estimates that the total cost of achieving Year 2000 readiness
for its internal systems, devices and applications will be approximately
$350,000. This statement is a Forward-Looking Statement subject to the risks set
forth below. Year 2000 project costs are difficult to estimate accurately, and
the projected cost could change due to unanticipated technological difficulties
and Year 2000 readiness of third parties.
Contingency Plans
-----------------
In the event that the efforts of the Company's Year 2000 project do not
address all potential systems problems, the Company is currently developing
business interruption contingency plans, including maintaining the Company's old
computer system which was not subject to the Year 2000 problem, using
alternative machinery and equipment, and having a back-up system at an offsite
location. The Company believes, however, that due to the widespread nature of
potential Year 2000 issues, the contingency planning process is an ongoing one
which will require further modifications as the Company obtains additional
information regarding (1) the Company's internal systems during the remediation
and final testing phases of its Year 2000 project and (2) the status of third
party Year 2000 readiness. Contingency planning for possible Year 2000
disruptions will continue to be defined, improved and implemented.
Risks
-----
The Company believes that completed and planned modifications and
conversions of its critical systems, devices and applications will allow it to
be Year 2000 compliant in a timely manner. There can be no assurances, however,
that the Company's internal systems, devices and applications or those of third
parties on which the Company relies will be Year 2000 compliant by year 2000 or
that the Company's or third parties' contingency plans will mitigate the effects
of any noncompliance. An interruption of the Company's ability to conduct its
business due to a Year 2000 readiness problem could have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
-15-
Territories of Hong Kong, Macau and The People's Republic of China
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Territory of Hong Kong reverted to The People's Republic of China
pursuant to a long-term land lease which expired in the middle of 1997. The
territory of Macau will revert to The People's Republic of China at the end of
1999. Management cannot presently predict what impact, if any, the expiration of
these leases will have on the Company or how the political climate in China will
affect its contractual arrangements in China. Substantially all of the Company's
manufacturing operations and approximately 61% of its identifiable assets are
located in Hong Kong, Macau, and The People's Republic of China. Accordingly,
events resulting from the expiration of such leases as well as any change in the
"Most Favored Nation" status granted to China by the U.S. could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
This Form 10-K, other than the historical financial information, may
consist of forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, statements contained in "Business" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations". Such statements are based on many assumptions and are subject to
risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from the results
discussed in the forward looking statements due to a number of factors,
including, but not limited to, those identified in the preceeding paragraphs as
well as those set forth under "Business-Risks and Uncertainties" in this Form
10-K.
New Accounting Pronouncements
-----------------------------
During Fiscal 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued the
following accounting standards: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS No. 130); and Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information" (SFAS No. 131). The Company has adopted SFAS No. 130 and
SFAS No. 131 in the current fiscal year. Neither standard has had a material
impact on the Company.
In June 1998, The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 ("SFAS 133") "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". The Company is required to adopt the
provisions of this Statement in the 2000 year-end financial statements. This
Statement requires that all derivatives be recorded in the balance sheet as
either an asset or liability measured at fair value. The Statement requires that
changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings
unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company is in the process
of evaluating this Statement and has not yet determined the future impact on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
-16-
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
----------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The following disclosure of the
estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
"Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments." The estimated fair
values of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using
available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However,
considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the
estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not
necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a
current market exchange.
The Company has not entered into, and does not expect to enter into,
financial instruments for trading or hedging purposes. The Company does not
currently anticipate entering into interest rate swaps and/or similar
instruments.
The Company's carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts
payable and accrued expenses are a reasonable approximation of their fair value.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
-------------------------------------------
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
and Supplementary Financial Data
--------------------------------
Page
----
Independent Auditors' Report ..................................... F-1
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1998
and 1997 .................................................... F-2 - F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations, Years
Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ...................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity,
Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ................ F-5 - F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years
Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ...................... F-7 - F-9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ..................... F-10 - F-21
Supplementary Financial Data:
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 ....................... F-22
Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ................... S-1
-17-
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Bel Fuse Inc.
Jersey City, New Jersey
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bel Fuse Inc.
and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. Our
audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at
Item 14. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Bel Fuse Inc. and its subsidiaries
at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion,
such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
March 19, 1999
New York, New York
F-1
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
------
December 31,
-------------------------
1998 1997
----------- -----------
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ................... $ 14,923,685 $29,231,967
Accounts receivable - less allowance
for doubtful accounts of $317,000
and $227,000 .............................. 17,072,537 11,181,379
Inventories (Note 3) ........................ 21,847,563 12,202,938
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets ..................................... 353,869 383,084
Deferred income taxes (Note 5) .............. 284,000 421,000
------------ ----------
Total Current Assets ............... 54,481,654 53,420,368
Property, plant and equipment - net
(Notes 4) ................................... 35,471,498 29,052,354
Goodwill - net of amortization of
$523,423 and $129,738 ....................... 13,222,223 103,549
Other assets .................................. 449,253 575,962
------------ -----------
TOTAL ASSETS ....................... $103,624,628 $83,152,233
============ ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-2
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
December 31,
---------------------------
1998 1997
----------- -------------
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable .............................. $ 4,985,840 $ 3,467,897
Accrued expenses .............................. 8,416,051 5,660,411
Income taxes payable (Note 5) ................. 10,247 237,515
Dividends Payable ............................. 260,331 --
------------ -----------
Total Current Liabilities ................ 13,672,469 9,365,823
Deferred income taxes (Note 5) .................. 1,146,000 957,000
------------ -----------
Total Liabilities ........................ 14,818,469 10,322,823
------------ -----------
Commitments and Contingencies
(Notes 5, 6, 7 and 8)
Stockholders' Equity (Notes 8 and 9):
Preferred stock, no par value,
authorized 1,000,000 shares;
none issued ................................. -- --
Common stock, par value $.10 per
share - authorized 10,000,000
shares; outstanding 5,121,920
(net of 2,145,539 treasury
shares) ..................................... -- 512,192
Class A common stock, par value
$.10 per share - authorized
10,000,000 shares; outstanding
2,603,310 shares (net of
1,072,770 treasury shares) .................. 260,331 --
Class B common stock, par value $.10 per
share--authorized 10,000,000 shares;
outstanding 2,603,310 shares (net of
1,072,770 treasury shares) .................. 260,331 --
Additional paid-in capital ................. 8,561,421 7,525,753
Retained earnings .......................... 79,728,787 64,771,298
Cumulative other comprehensive
income (loss) ............................. (4,711) 20,167
------------ -----------
Total Stockholders' Equity .............. 88,806,159 72,829,410
------------ -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ................. $103,624,628 $83,152,233
============ ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
Net sales ...................... $90,754,195 $73,530,876 $65,457,521
----------- ----------- -----------
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales ................ 58,654,040 50,723,813 46,539,465
Selling, general and
administrative .............. 16,648,125 13,829,765 11,493,869
----------- ----------- -----------
75,302,165 64,553,578 58,033,334
----------- ----------- -----------
Income from operations ......... 15,452,030 8,977,298 7,424,187
Other income (net) ............. 1,578,790 1,428,164 2,306,343
----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings before income taxes ... 17,030,820 10,405,462 9,730,530
Income tax provision (Note 5) .. 1,813,000 1,555,000 1,925,000
----------- ----------- -----------
Net earnings ................... $15,217,820 $ 8,850,462 $ 7,805,530
=========== =========== ===========
Earnings per common
share - basic ................. $2.94 $1.74 $1.54
===== ===== =====
Earnings per common
share - diluted ............... $2.89 $1.72 $1.52
===== ===== =====
Weighted average number
of common shares out-
standing - basic .............. 5,180,815 5,088,483 5,063,776
=========== =========== ===========
- diluted ............ 5,263,922 5,158,878 5,140,498
=========== =========== ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Cumulative
Other
Compre- Compre-
hensive Retained hensive
Total Income Earnings Income(Loss) Common Stock
----------- --------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance, January 1,
1996 $55,889,951 $48,115,306 $ 457,600 $505,145
Exercise of stock
options 126,937 1,937
Tax benefits arising
from the non-qualified
distributions of incen-
tive stock options 42,000
Net unrealized gain on
marketable securities (457,600) $ (457,600) (457,600)
Currency translation
adjustment (7,721) (7,721) (7,721)
Net earnings 7,805,530 7,805,530 7,805,530
----------
Comprehensive Income $7,340,209
==========
Balance, December 31, ----------- ----------- -------- --------
1996 63,399,097 55,920,836 (7,721) 507,082
Exercise of stock
options 426,963 5,110
Tax benefits arising
from the non-quali-
fied disposition of
incentive stock options 125,000
Currency translation
adjustment 27,888 $ 27,888 27,888
Net earnings 8,850,462 8,850,462 8,850,462
----------
Comprehensive Income $8,887,350
==========
Balance, December 31,
1997
----------- ------------ -------- --------
72,829,410 64,771,298 20,167 512,192
Additional
Class A Class B Paid-In
Common Stock Common Stock Capital
------------ ------------ ---------
Balance, January 1,
1996 $ -- $ -- $6,811,900
Exercise of stock
options 125,000
Tax benefits arising
from the non-qualified
distributions of incen-
tive stock options 42,000
Net unrealized gain on
marketable securities
Currency translation
adjustment
Net earnings
Comprehensive Income
Balance, December 31, ------ ------ ----------
1996 -- -- 6,978,900
Exercise of stock
options 421,853
Tax benefits arising
from the non-quali-
fied disposition of
incentive stock options 125,000
Currency translation
adjustment
Net earnings
Comprehensive Income
Balance, December 31,
1997
------ ------ ----------
-- -- 7,525,753
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Cumulative
Other
Compre- Compre-
hensive Retained hensive
Total Income Earnings Income(Loss) Common Stock
----------- --------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Exercise of stock
options 832,137 8,008
Effect of splitting Common
Stock into A and B shares (520,200)
Exercise of stock options 31,001
from the non-quali-
fied disposition of
incentive stock
options 181,000
Cash dividends on Class B Common
Stock - $.10 per share (260,331) (260,331)
Currency translation
Adjustment (24,878) $ (24,878) (24,878)
Net earnings 15,217,820 15,217,820 15,217,820
-----------
Comprehensive Income $15,192,942
===========
Balance, December 31,
----------- ----------- -------- -------
1998 $88,806,159 $79,728,787 $ (4,711) $ --
=========== =========== ======== =======
Additional
Class A Class B Paid-In
Common Stock Common Stock Capital
------------ ------------ ---------
Exercise of stock
options 824,129
Effect of splitting Common
Stock into A and B shares 260,100 260,100
Exercise of stock options 231 231 30,539
from the non-quali-
fied disposition of
incentive stock
options 181,000
Currency translation
Adjustment
Net earnings
Comprehensive Income
Balance, December 31,
-------- -------- -----------
1998 $260,331 $260,331 $ 8,561,421
======== ======== ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 15,217,820 $ 8,850,462 $ 7,805,530
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and
amortization 4,128,868 3,424,230 2,995,967
Other 302,509 177,007 91,926
Deferred income taxes 326,000 (113,000) 389,000
Net (gain) loss on sale of
marketable securities 599 1,340 (1,265,710)
Changes in operating assets
and liabilities (4,160,999) (4,056,541) 4,261,263
------------ ------------ ------------
Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities 15,814,797 8,283,498 14,277,976
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (3,652,388) (6,137,171) (2,675,352)
Purchase of marketable
securities (2,830,415) (4,669,954) (2,981,020)
Payment for acquisition (27,514,000) -- --
Proceeds from sale of
marketable securities 2,829,840 7,651,275 6,259,657
Proceeds from sale of
equipment 14,291 8,526 31,330
Proceeds from repayment
by contractors 166,455 170,339 122,759
------------ ------------ ------------
Net Cash (Used in)
Provided by Investing
Activities (30,986,217) (2,976,985) 757,374
------------ ------------ ------------
(Continued)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of
stock options 863,138 426,963 126,937
------------ ------------ ------------
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents -- -- (7,721)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net (Decrease) increase in
Cash and Cash Equivalents (14,308,282) 5,733,476 15,154,566
Cash and Cash Equivalents
- beginning of year 29,231,967 23,498,491 8,343,925
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents
- end of year $ 14,923,685 $ 29,231,967 $ 23,498,491
============ ============ ============
Changes in operating assets
and liabilities consist of:
(Increase) decrease in
accounts receivable $ (5,981,158) $ (2,346,939) $ 2,798,904
(Increase) decrease in
inventories (2,215,625) (3,791,398) 2,388,191
(Increase) in prepaid
expenses and other
current assets (142,042) (69,609) (364,171)
Decrease in other assets 131,511 250,493 191,236
Increase (decrease) in
accounts payable 1,517,943 170,072 (76,608)
Increase (decrease) in
accrued expenses 2,755,640 1,813,785 (456,825)
(Decrease) in
income taxes payable (227,268) (82,945) (219,464)
------------ ------------ ------------
$ (4,160,999) $ (4,056,541) $ 4,261,263
============ ============ ============
(Continued)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ----------- ------------
Supplementary information:
Cash paid during year for:
Interest $ -- $ -- $ 553
============ =========== ============
Income taxes $ 1,261,000 $ 1,050,000 $ 1,712,000
============ =========== ============
Details of acquisition:
Fair value of assets
acquired $ 27,514,000
Liabilities assumed --
------------
Net cash paid for
Acquisition $ 27,514,000
============
Supplemental disclosure of
non-cash investing and
financing activities:
Unrealized (gain) on
marketable securities $ (457,600)
============
On December 21, 1998 the
Company declared a $.10 dividend
on the Class B Common Stock
payable February 1, 1999 to
recordholders as of January
11, 1999 $ 260,331
============
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-9
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Bel Fuse Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") operate in one industry
segment and are engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of products used in
local area networking, telecommunication, business equipment and consumer
electronic applications. Sales are predominantly in North America, Western
Europe and the Far East.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of the financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash equivalents include short-term investments
in U.S. treasury bills and commercial paper with an original maturity of three
months or less when purchased. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, cash equivalents
approximate $4,206,000 and $26,627,000, respectively.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments which potentially
subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of
accounts receivable and temporary cash investments. The Company grants credit
primarily to original equipment manufacturers and to subcontractors of original
equipment manufacturers based on an evaluation of the customer's financial
condition, without requiring collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is
principally dependent on each customer's financial condition. The Company
controls its exposure to credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and
monitoring procedures and establishes allowances for anticipated losses.
The Company places its temporary cash investments with quality financial
institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one
financial institution.
F-10
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(Continued)
INVENTORIES - Inventories are stated at the lower of weighted average cost
(first-in, first-out) or market.
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES - Goodwill represents the excess of purchase
price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible assets
acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line
basis over 3 1/2 to 15 years. Amortization expense was $394,000 in 1998, $21,000
in 1997, and $21,000 in 1996.
DEPRECIATION - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated primarily using the
declining-balance method for machinery and equipment and the straight-line
method for buildings over their estimated useful lives.
INCOME TAXES - Deferred taxes are provided to reflect the tax effect of
temporary differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and
liabilities. The principal items giving rise to deferred taxes are the use of
accelerated depreciation methods for plant and equipment and certain expenses
which have been deducted for financial reporting purposes which are not
currently deductible for income tax purposes.
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." The standard encourages, but does not require, companies to
recognize compensation expense for grants of stock, stock options and other
equity instruments to employees based on fair value accounting rules. The
Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123.
EVALUATION OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - Long-lived assets are assessed for
recoverability on an on-going basis. In evaluating the fair value and future
benefits of long-lived assets, their carrying value would be reduced by the
excess, if any, of the long-lived asset over management's estimate of the
anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived asset.
As of December 31, 1998, management concluded that no valuation allowance was
required.
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - In February 1997 the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
128 "Earnings Per Share," which requires companies to present basic earnings per
share (EPS) and diluted earnings per share instead of the primary and fully
diluted EPS that was required. The new standard requires additional
informational disclosures and also makes certain modifications to the currently
applicable EPS calculations defined in Accounting Principles Board No. 15.
F-11
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(Continued)
Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net earnings by
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net earnings by the
weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding
during the year. Potential common shares used in computing diluted earnings per
share relate to stock options which, if exercised, would have a dilutive effect
on earnings per share. The number of potential common shares outstanding were
83,107, 70,395 and 76,722 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. During the three years ending December 31, 1998, there were no
antidilutive options omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - For financial instruments including
cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, it was assumed
that the carrying amount approximated fair value because of the short maturities
of such instruments.
NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - During Fiscal 1997, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board issued the following accounting standards: Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
(SFAS No. 130); and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" (SFAS No.
131). The Company has adopted SFAS No. 130 and SFAS No. 131 in the current
fiscal year. Neither standard has had a material impact on the Company.
In June 1998, The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 ("SFAS 133") "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". The Company is required to adopt the
provisions of this Statement in the 2000 year-end financial statements. This
Statement requires that all derivatives be recorded in the balance sheet as
either an asset or liability measured at fair value. The Statement requires that
changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings
unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company is in the process
of evaluating this Statement and has not yet determined the future impact on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year
balances in order to conform with the current year's presentation.
F-12
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. ACQUISITION
On October 2, 1998, the Company acquired the manufacturing assets,
primarily consisting of inventory and fixed assets, of Lucent Technologies,
Inc.'s ("Lucent") signal transformer product line in exchange for approximately
$27 million in cash plus acquisition costs of approximately $500,000. Under the
terms of the agreement, the Company, among other things, will continue to supply
Lucent's telecom magnetics requirements for forty-two months. It is the
Company's intention to move the majority of the manufacturing for this business
to the Republic of China. The Company has established research and development,
support and legacy product manufacturing in Dallas, Texas. In addition the
Dallas facility will maintain a marketing office to sell and service the Lucent
customers.
Additionally, Lucent and the Company entered into a Transition Services
Agreement whereby Lucent has agreed to provide contract labor and transitional
services to the Company for an agreed price until the earlier of June 30, 1999
or the date on which Signal Transformer Manufacturing operations and the
purchased assets are relocated.
The acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting and includes the results of operations of the acquired entity from
October 2, 1998 to December 31, 1998. Intangible assets and goodwill which arose
in connection with the acquisition in the amount of $13.5 million, are being
amortized over 3 and one-half to 15 years using the straight line method.
Proforma unaudited results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997
and 1998 reflect consolidated the operations of the Company assuming the
acquisition occurred on January 1, 1997. Proforma adjustments have been made for
amortization of intangibles, depreciation, reduction of interest income and
income taxes. The proforma results are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(Dollars in thousands
except per share data)
Sales $123,418 $108,867
Net earnings (1) 25,003 18,757
Diluted earnings per
common share $ 4.74 $ 3.64
-------- --------
- ----------
(1) In arriving at net earnings, income taxes were estimated based upon
assumptions as to the geographic area in which the operating income would
have been earned by the Company.
F-13
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. INVENTORIES
December 31,
----------------------------------
1998 1997
----------- -----------
Raw materials $11,459,928 $ 7,029,632
Work in process 139,166 115,586
Finished goods 10,248,469 5,057,720
----------- -----------
$21,847,563 $12,202,938
=========== ===========
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
December 31,
----------------------------------
1998 1997
----------- -----------
Land $ 1,164,436 $ 1,164,436
Buildings and improvements 13,901,108 13,901,108
Machinery and equipment 46,658,618 38,233,434
Idle property held for sale 935,000 935,000
----------- -----------
62,659,162 54,233,978
Less accumulated depreciation 27,187,664 25,181,624
----------- -----------
$35,471,498 $29,052,354
=========== ===========
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
was $3,735,183, $3,403,545 and $2,974,622, respectively.
5. INCOME TAXES
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
Current:
Federal $ 935,000 $ 961,000 $ 931,000
Foreign 352,000 614,000 540,000
State 200,000 93,000 65,000
----------- ----------- -----------
1,487,000 1,668,000 1,536,000
----------- ----------- -----------
Deferred:
Federal 180,000 (396,000) 268,000
Foreign 146,000 283,000 121,000
----------- ----------- -----------
326,000 (113,000) 389,000
----------- ----------- -----------
$ 1,813,000 $ 1,555,000 $ 1,925,000
=========== =========== ===========
F-14
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. INCOME TAXES (continued)
A reconciliation of taxes on income at the federal statutory rate to
amounts provided is as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
Tax provision computed
at the Federal sta-
tutory rate $ 5,791,000 $ 3,538,000 $ 3,309,000
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
Lower tax rates applicable
to foreign operations (4,255,000) (2,280,000) (1,349,000)
State taxes, net of federal
Benefit 132,000 61,000 --
Other, net 145,000 236,000 (35,000)
----------- ----------- -----------
$ 1,813,000 $ 1,555,000 $ 1,925,000
=========== =========== ===========
The types of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and their financial reporting amounts that give rise to the deferred
tax liability and deferred tax asset and their approximate tax effects are as
follows:
December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Temporary Temporary
Difference Tax Effect Difference Tax Effect
----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Deferred Liability:
Depreciation $14,632,000 $1,146,000 $ 6,709,000 $ 957,000
Deferred Asset:
Other temporary
differences (711,000) (284,000) (1,052,000) (421,000)
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------
$13,921,000 $ 862,000 $ 5,657,000 $ 536,000
=========== ========== =========== =========
F-15
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. INCOME TAXES (continued)
The Company files income tax returns in all jurisdictions in which it has
reason to believe it is subject to tax. Historically, the Company has been
subject to examination by various taxing jurisdictions. To date, none of these
examinations has resulted in any material additional tax. Nonetheless, any tax
jurisdiction may contend that a filing position claimed by the Company regarding
one or more of its transactions is contrary to that jurisdiction's laws or
regulations.
It is management's intention to permanently reinvest a portion of the
earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the expansion of its foreign operations. No
earnings were repatriated during 1998, 1997 or 1996. Unrepatriated earnings,
upon which income taxes have not been accrued, approximate $73,663,000 at
December 31, 1998. Estimated income taxes related to unrepatriated foreign
earnings would approximate $18,700,000.
F-16
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. SEGMENTS - GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
The Company does not have reportable operating segments as defined in
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Disclosures,". The method for attributing revenues
to individual countries is based on the destination to which finished goods are
shipped. The Company operates facilities in the United States, Europe and the
Far East.
The Company had sales to individual customers in excess of ten percent of
consolidated net sales as follows: The amounts and percentages of the Company's
sales were approximately $23,055,000 (25.4%) and $13,385,000 (14.7%) in 1998;
$19,217,000 (26.1%) and $8,272,000 (11.3%) in 1997; and $12,853,000 (19.6%),
$7,313,000 (11.2%) and $6,670,000 (10.2%) in 1996. The loss of either of these
customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations, financial position and cash flows.
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Revenue from unrelated entities
and country of Company's
domicile:
United States $ 47,884,195 $ 37,702,876 $ 41,359,521
Asia/Pacific 17,914,000 11,491,000 6,764,000
Hong Kong 4,337,000 3,507,000 3,051,000
United Kingdom 1,657,000 2,455,000 2,048,000
Europe 17,656,000 16,085,000 9,745,000
Other 1,306,000 2,290,000 2,490,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 90,754,195 $ 73,530,876 $ 65,457,521
============ ============ ============
Total revenues:
United States $ 49,641,429 $ 39,083,088 $ 45,895,154
Asia 75,662,502 64,727,693 54,068,233
Less intergeographic
Revenues (34,549,736) (30,279,905) (34,505,866)
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 90,754,195 $ 73,530,876 $ 65,457,521
============ ============ ============
Income from Operations:
United States $ 1,877,219 $ 454,908 $ 1,500,248
Asia 13,574,811 8,522,390 5,923,939
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 15,452,030 $ 8,977,298 $ 7,424,187
============ ============ ============
Assets:
United States $ 42,374,486 $ 37,415,575 $ 21,716,125
Asia 66,096,256 49,194,689 59,458,585
Less intergeographic
Eliminations (4,846,114) (3,458,031 (9,560,702)
---------- ---------- ----------
Total identifiable assets $103,624,628 $ 83,152,233 $ 71,614,008
============ ============ ============
Capital Expenditures:
United States $ 469,286 $ 798,258 $ 216,899
Asia 3,183,102 5,338,913 2,458,453
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 3,652,388 $ 6,137,171 $ 2,675,352
============ ============ ============
Depreciation and Amortization
expense:
United States $ 639,637 $ 500,564 $ 376,042
Asia 3,489,231 2,923,666 2,619,925
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 4,128,868 $ 3,424,230 $ 2,995,967
============ ============ ============
F-17
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. OPERATIONS IN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES
(Continued)
Transfers between geographic areas include raw materials manufactured in
the United States which are shipped to foreign countries to be manufactured into
finished products and finished products manufactured in foreign countries and
transferred to the United States for sale. Income from operations represents
total revenue less operating expenses.
Identifiable assets are those assets of the Company that are identified
with the operations of each geographic area.
The territory of Hong Kong reverted to the People's Republic of China
pursuant to a long-term land lease which expired in the middle of 1997. The
territory of Macau will revert to the People's Republic of China at the end of
1999. Management cannot presently predict what impact, if any, the expiration of
these leases will have on the Company or how the political climate in China will
affect the Company's contractual arrangements in China. Substantially all of the
Company's manufacturing operations and approximately 61% of its identifiable
assets are located in Hong Kong, Macau, and The People's Republic of China.
Accordingly, events resulting from the expiration of such leases, as well as any
change in the "Most Favored Nation" status granted to China by the U.S. could
have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company's research and development facilities are located in
California, Indiana, Texas and Hong Kong. Research and development costs
amounted to $4,989,000 in 1998, $3,895,000 in 1997 and $3,529,000 in 1996.
7. RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
The Company maintains a domestic profit sharing plan, a contributory stock
ownership and savings 401(K) plan which combines stock ownership, and individual
voluntary savings provisions to provide retirement benefits for plan
participants. The plan provides for participants to voluntarily contribute a
portion of their compensation, subject to certain legal maximums. The Company
will match, based on a sliding scale, up to $350 for the first $600 contributed
by each participant. Matching contributions plus additional discretionary
contributions will be made with Company stock purchased in the open market. The
expense for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to
approximately $174,000, $152,000 and $136,000, respectively. As of December 31,
1998, the fund owned 38,846 and 42,797 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class
B common stock, respectively.
F-18
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN (Continued)
The Company's Far East subsidiaries have a retirement fund covering
substantially all of their Hong Kong based full-time employees. Eligible
employees contribute up to 5% of salary to the fund. In addition, the Company
may contribute an amount equal to a percentage of eligible salary, as determined
by the Company, in cash or Company stock. The expense for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to approximately $516,000, $385,000
and $267,000, respectively. The Company has agreed to repurchase its stock, if
no market exists, should it be requested to do so by the trustees of the
Company's Far East plan. As of December 31, 1998, the fund owned 4,820 and 6,585
shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
8. STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has a Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") which provides
for the granting of "Incentive Stock Options" to key employees within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. The
Plan provides for the issuance of 1,200,000 shares. Substantially all options
outstanding become exercisable twenty-five (25%) percent one year from the date
of grant and twenty-five (25%) percent for each year of the three years
thereafter. The price of the options granted pursuant to the Plan will not be
less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the shares on the date of
grant. An option may not be exercised within one year from the date of grant,
and in general, no option will be exercisable after six years from the date
granted. All outstanding options as of July 9, 1998 (Note 9) were split equally
into Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The Company has adopted the
disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Accordingly, no compensation
cost has been recognized for the stock options awarded. Had compensation cost
for the Company's stock option plan been determined based on the fair value at
the grant date for awards in 1998 and 1997 consistent with the provisions of
SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings and earnings per share would have been
reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
December 31,
-----------------------------------
1998 1997
----------- ----------
Net earnings - as reported $15,217,820 $8,850,462
Net earnings - pro forma 14,717,692 8,555,035
Earnings per share - basic - as reported $2.94 $1.74
Earnings per share - basic - pro forma $2.85 $1.68
Earnings per share - diluted - as reported $2.89 $1.72
Earnings per share - diluted - pro forma $2.81 $1.66
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1998 and 1997, respectively: dividends yield of
- -0-%, expected volatility of 65% for Class A and 59% for Class B in 1998 and 52%
in 1997, risk-free interest rate of 5.05% in 1998 and 5.6% in 1997, and expected
lives of 5 years.
F-19
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. STOCK OPTION PLAN (Continued)
Information regarding the Company's Plan for 1998, 1997 and 1996 is as
follows:
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Options out-
standing, begin-
ning of year 236,400 $11.45 186,000 $ 9.59 142,000 $ 6.92
Options exercised (84,700) $10.19 (51,100) $ 8.36 (19,375) $ 6.55
Options granted 115,000 $12.13 105,500 $13.25 71,000 $14.00
Options cancelled (5,000) $12.88 (4,000) $12.13 (7,625) $ 8.59
------- ------- -------
Options out-
standing, end of
year 261,700 $12.13 236,400 $11.45 186,000 $ 9.59
======= ======= =======
Options price
range at end of
year $6.50 to $13.25 $6.50 to $14.00 $6.50 to $14.00
Option price range
for exercised
shares $6.50 to $14.00 $6.50 to $14.00 $3.75 to $7.00
Options available
for grant at end
of year 443,500 53,500 155,000
Weighted-average fair
value of options,
granted during the
year $6.70 $7.46 $7.78
The following table summarizes information about fixed-price stock options
outstanding at December 31, 1998:
Weighted-
Number Out- Average Weighted Number Exer- Weighted-
Range of standing at Remaining Average cisable at Average
Exercise December 31, Contractual Exercise December 31, Exercise
Prices 1998 Life Price 1998 Price
------- ------------ ----------- --------- ------------- ---------
$ 6.50 to $ 7.70 33,000 1.0 year $ 7.48 33,000 $ 7.48
$11.50 to $14.00 228,700 4.0 years $12.80 5,950 $13.75
------- -----
261,700 38,950
======= ======
9. COMMON STOCK
On July 9, 1998, the shareholders approved an amendment to Article VI of
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation that (i) authorized a new voting
Class A Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, and a new non-voting Class B
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share; (ii) increased the authorized
F-20
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. COMMON STOCK (continued)
number of shares of common stock from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000, consisting of
10,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Class B
Common Stock; (iii) established the rights, powers and limitations of the Class
A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, and (iv) reclassified each share of
the Company's issued Common Stock, par vale $.10 per share, as one-half share of
Class A Common Stock and one-half share of Class B Common Stock.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company leases various facilities. Some of these leases require the
Company to pay certain executory costs (such as insurance and maintenance).
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases are approximately as
follows:
Years Ending December 31,
------------------------------
1999 $ 534,000
2000 248,000
2001 153,000
2002 62,000
2003 52,000
2004 --
----------
$1,049,000
==========
Rental expense was approximately $521,000, $484,000 and $442,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Credit Facilities
The Company has two domestic unsecured lines of credit amounting to
$5,000,000 which were unused at December 31, 1998. The lines of credit are
renewable annually. On February 24, 1999, the Company signed a letter of
commitment to increase one of the domestic lines of credit from $4 million to
$11 million. Borrowings under the new line of credit are secured by a first
priority security interest and a lien on all personal property of Bel Fuse Inc.
and its domestic subsidiaries.
The Company's Hong Kong subsidiary has an unsecured line of credit of
approximately $2,000,000 which expires in October 1999. Borrowing on the line of
credit is guaranteed by the U.S. parent.
Dividend
The Company declared a cash dividend on the Class B common shares of $.10
per share. The dividend was paid on February 1, 1999 to shareholders of record
on January 11, 1999.
F-21
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(UNAUDITED)
Total Year
Ended
March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, December 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1998
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net sales $19,514,700 $19,531,655 $21,148,681 $30,559,159 $90,754,195
Gross
Profit 6,336,972 6,684,748 7,557,154 11,521,281 32,100,155
Net
earnings 2,966,488 3,038,705 3,651,761 5,560,866 15,217,820
Earnings
per share
- basic (1) $.58 $.59 $.70 $1.07 $2.94
Earnings
per
share -
diluted (1) $.56 $.58 $.70 $1.05 $2.89
Total Year
Ended
March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, December 31,
1997 1997 1997 1997 1997
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net sales $15,962,204 $18,748,690 $18,409,054 $20,410,928 $73,530,876
Gross
Profit 4,592,089 5,640,788 5,721,974 6,852,212 22,807,063
Net
earnings 1,309,859 2,132,762 2,174,843 3,232,998 8,850,462
Earnings
per share
- basic (1) $.26 $.42 $.43 $.63 $1.74
Earnings
per
share -
diluted (1) $.26 $.42 $.42 $.63 $1.72
- ----------
(1) Quarterly amounts of earnings per share may not agree to the total for the
year due to rounding.
F-22
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors of the Registrant
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the applicable
information from its definitive proxy statement for its 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the applicable
information from its definitive proxy statement for its 1999 Annual
Meeting of Sharesholders.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the applicable
information from its definitive proxy statement for its 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the applicable
information from its definitive proxy statement for its 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
-18-
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
Page
----
(a)
1. Financial statements filed as a part of this report:
Independent Auditors' Report F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31,
1998 and 1997 F-2 - F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for Each
of the Three Years in the Period Ended
December 31, 1998 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for Each of the Three Years in the Period
Ended December 31, 1998 F-5 - F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Each
of the Three Years in the Period Ended
December 31, 1998 F-7 - F-9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-10 - F-21
Selected Quarterly Financial Data - Years Ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997 (Unaudited) F-22
2. Financial statement schedules filed as part of this report:
Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-1
All other schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable, not
required or the information is included in the financial statements or
notes thereto.
(b)
3. Exhibits filed as part of this report.
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998.
-19-
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(continued)
Exhibit No.:
- ------------
3.2 By-laws, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-2
(Registration No. 33-16703) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 25, 1987.
10.1 Agency agreement dated October 1, 1988 between Bel Fuse Ltd. and
Rush Profit Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1994.
10.2 Contract dated March 16, 1990 between Accessorios Electronicos
(Bel Fuse Macau Ltd.) and the Government of Macau. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
10.3 Loan agreement dated February 14, 1990 between Bel Fuse, Ltd. (as
lender) and Luen Fat Lee Electronic Factory (as borrower).
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
10.4 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1 of
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
No. 33-53462) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 20, 1992.
10.5 Employment agreement between Elliot Bernstein and Bel Fuse Inc.
dated October 29, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7
of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
-20-
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(continued)
Exhibit No.:
- ------------
10.6 Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Assets by and among Lucent
Technologies Inc. and Lucent Technologies Maquiladoras Inc. (each
as Seller) and BelFuse Inc. (Buyer) dated October 9, 1998.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Report
on Form 8-K dated October 17, 1998.
11.1 A statement regarding the computation of earnings per share is
omitted because such computation can be clearly determined from
the material contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
22.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
(c) Reports on Form 8-K
On October 17, 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K
describing (under Items 2 and 7) the acquisition of certain
assets of Lucent Technologies Inc.'s ("Lucent") signal
transformer business, a part of Lucent's Power Systems
manufacturing operations, for approximately $27 million in cash.
The purchase price was paid from cash on hand.
On December 16, 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K/1
amending Item 7 on Form 8-K dated October 17,1998 to file certain
historical and proforma financial statements.
-21-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
BEL FUSE, INC.
BY:/s/ DANIEL BERNSTEIN
---------------------------
Daniel Bernstein, President
Dated: March 29, 1999
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ ELLIOT BERNSTEIN Chairman of the Board
- ---------------------- and Director (Principal March 29, 1999
Elliot Bernstein Executive Officer)
President, (Principal
/s/ DANIEL BERNSTEIN Financial and Account- March 29, 1999
- ---------------------- ing Officer) and
Daniel Bernstein Director
/s/ HOWARD B. BERNSTEIN Director March 29, 1999
- -----------------------
Howard B. Bernstein
/s/ ROBERT H. SIMANDL Director March 29, 1999
- -----------------------
Robert H. Simandl
/s/ PETER GILBERT Director March 29, 1999
- -----------------------
Peter Gilbert
/s/ JOHN TWEEDY Director March 29, 1999
- -----------------------
John Tweedy
/s/ JOHN JOHNSON Director March 29, 1999
- -----------------------
John Johnson
-22-
Subsidiaries of Bel Fuse Inc.
Jurisdiction of
Name Incorporation
---- ---------------
Bel Fuse Limited Hong Kong
Bel Fuse Macau LDA Macau
Bel Hybrids and Magnetics Inc. Indiana
Bel Delaware LLC Delaware
Bel Fuse Europe Ltd. United Kingdom
Bel Magnetics Ltd. Texas
Bel Fuse America Inc. Delaware
Bel Fuse Delaware Inc. Delaware
Bel Fuse California Inc. Delaware
-23-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Additions
------------------------
(1) (2)
Charged Charged
Balance at to profit to other Balance
Beginning and loss accounts Deductions at close
Description of period or income (describe) (describe) of period
----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Year ended December 31, 1998
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $227,000 $ 90,000 $ -- $ -- $317,000
======== ======== ==== ======= ========
Allowance for excess and obsolete
inventory $522,000 $242,000 $ -- $ -- $764,000
======== ======== ==== ======== ========
Year ended December 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $195,000 $ 32,000 $ -- $ -- $227,000
======== ======== ==== ======== ========
Allowance for excess and obsolete
inventory $100,000 $422,000 $ -- $ -- $522,000
======== ======== ==== ======== ========
Year ended December 31, 1996
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $155,000 $ 40,000 $ -- $ -- $195,000
======== ======== ==== ======== ========
Allowance for excess and obsolete
inventory $141,000 $600,000 $ -- $641,000(a) $100,000
======== ======== ==== ======== ========
- ---------------
(a) Write offs.
S-1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(2-93572, 33-45809 and 33-53462) on Forms S-8 of Bel Fuse Inc. of our report
dated March 19, 1999 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Bel Fuse
Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1998.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
March 26, 1999
New York, New York
5
1
12-MOS
DEC-31-1998
DEC-31-1998
14,923,685
0
17,389,537
317,000
21,847,563
54,481,654
62,659,162
27,187,664
103,624,628
13,672,469
0
520,662
0
0
88,285,497
103,624,628
90,754,195
90,754,195
58,654,040
75,302,165
0
0
0
17,030,820
1,813,000
15,217,820
0
0
0
15,217,820
2.94
2.89
