strt-cover_426.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

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 June 28, 2015.

o

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 0-25150

 

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Wisconsin

 

39-1804239

(State of Incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI  53209

(Address of principal executive offices)

(414) 247-3333

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value

 

The NASDAQ Stock Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  o Yes  x No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  o Yes  x No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x Yes  o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  x Yes  o 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 the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

o 

 

Accelerated filer

x

Non-accelerated filer

o

(do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller Reporting Company

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o Yes  x No

The aggregate market value of the voting Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of December 26, 2014 (the last business day of the Registrant's most recently completed second quarter), was approximately $286,128,000 (based upon the last reported sale price of the Common Stock at December 26, 2014 on the NASDAQ Global Market).  Shares of common stock held by any executive officer or director of the registrant have been excluded from this computation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.  This determination of affiliate status is not a conclusive determination for other purposes.

On August 7, 2015, there were outstanding 3,593,278 shares of the Registrant's $.01 par value Common Stock (which includes any unvested restricted shares previously awarded).

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

 

 

Part of the Form 10-K

Document

 

into which incorporated

Portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015

 

I, II, IV

 

 

 

Portions of the Proxy Statement dated on or about September 4, 2015, for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 6, 2015.

 

III

 

 

 

 


 

PROSPECTIVE INFORMATION

A number of the matters and subject areas discussed in this Form 10-K as well as in portions of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders and the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, which are incorporated herein by reference, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “would,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will” and “could,” or the negative of these terms or words of similar meaning.  These statements include expected future financial results, product offerings, global expansion, liquidity needs, financing ability, planned capital expenditures, management's or the Company's expectations and beliefs, and similar matters discussed, or otherwise incorporated herein by reference, in this Form 10-K.  The discussions of such matters and subject areas are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and also may materially differ from the Company's actual future experience.

The Company's business, operations and financial performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could result in material differences in actual results from the Company's current expectations.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, in particular relating to the automotive industry, consumer demand for the Company’s and its customers’ products, competitive and technological developments, customer purchasing actions, changes in warranty provisions and customer's product recall policies, foreign currency fluctuations, fluctuations in costs of operations (including fluctuations in the cost of raw materials) and other matters described under “Risk Factors” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference in Part I, Item 1A of this report and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this Form 10-K and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-K.

2


 

PART I

Item 1.   Business

The information set forth under “Company Description” which appears on pages 5 through 13 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.  For information as to export sales, see the information set forth under “Notes to Financial Statements-Export Sales” included on page 56 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Emerging Technologies

Automotive vehicle access systems, which are both theft deterrent and consumer friendly, are trending toward electro-mechanical devices.  Electronic companies are developing user identification systems such as bio-systems, card holder (transmitter) systems, etc., while mechanical locks, keys, housings, and latches are evolving to accommodate electronics. The Company believes it is positioning itself as a vehicle access control supplier by building its product, engineering and manufacturing expertise in the required electro-mechanical products, which include vehicle access latches, keys with remote entry electronic systems, and ignition interface systems with passive start capabilities.

These technologies benefit the Company by increasing the potential customer base as a Tier 2 supplier while maintaining Tier 1 status on some product lines and adding additional product line availability.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

The Company’s primary raw materials are high-grade zinc, brass, nickel silver, steel, aluminum and plastic resins. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but the Company has chosen to concentrate its sourcing with one primary vendor for each commodity. The Company believes its sources for raw materials are very reliable and adequate for its needs. The Company has not experienced any significant long term supply problems in its operations and does not anticipate any significant supply problems in the foreseeable future.  See further discussion under “Risk Factors-Sources of and Fluctuations in Market Prices of Raw Materials” included on page 30 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property

The Company believes that the success of its business will not only result from the technical competence, creativity and marketing abilities of its employees but also from the protection of its intellectual property through patents, trademarks and copyrights. As part of its ongoing research, development and manufacturing activities, the Company has a policy of seeking patents on new products, processes and improvements when appropriate.

Although, in the aggregate, the intellectual property discussed herein are of considerable importance to the manufacturing and marketing of many of its access control products, the Company does not consider any single patent or trademark or group of related patents or trademarks to be material to its business as a whole, except for the STRATTEC and STRATTEC with logo trademarks.

The Company also relies upon trade secret protection for its confidential and proprietary information. The Company maintains confidentiality agreements with its key executives. In addition, the Company enters into confidentiality agreements with selected suppliers, consultants and associates as appropriate to evaluate new products or business relationships pertinent to the success of the Company. However, there can be no assurance that others will not independently obtain similar information and techniques or otherwise gain access to the Company's trade secrets or that the Company can effectively protect its trade secrets.

Dependence Upon Significant Customers

A very significant portion of the Company’s annual sales are to General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.  These three customers accounted for approximately 65 percent of the Company’s net sales in 2015, 70 percent of the Company’s net sales in 2014 and 66 percent of the Company’s net sales in 2013.  Further information regarding sales to the Company’s largest customers is set forth under the caption “Risk Factors - Loss of Significant Customers, Vehicle Content, Vehicle Models and Market Share” and “Risk Factors – Production Slowdowns by Customers” included on page 29 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders and “Notes to Financial Statements-Sales and Receivable Concentration” included on page 56 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The products sold to these customers are model specific, fitting only certain defined applications. Consequently, the Company is highly dependent on its major customers for their business, and on these customers' ability to produce and sell vehicles which utilize the Company's products. The Company has enjoyed good relationships with General Motors Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles,

3


 

Ford Motor Company and other customers in the past, and expects to continue to do so in the future. However, a significant change in the purchasing practices of, or a significant loss of volume from, one or more of these customers could have a detrimental effect on the Company's financial performance.  We cannot provide any assurance that any lost sales volume could be replaced despite our historical relationships with our customers.

Sales and Marketing; Backlog

The Company provides its customers with engineered access control products including locksets, fobs, push button ignition systems, steering column lock housings, seatback and secondary latches, power sliding door systems, power liftgate systems, power decklids, door handles, door handle components and trim and other access products which are unique to specific vehicles. Any given vehicle will typically take 1 to 3 years of development and engineering design time prior to being offered to the public. The access control products are designed concurrently with the vehicle. Therefore, commitment to the Company as the production source for such products and components occurs 1 to 3 years prior to the start of production.  The Company employs an engineering staff that assists in providing design and technical solutions to its customers.  The Company believes that its engineering expertise is a competitive advantage and contributes toward its strong market position.  For example, the Company believes it regularly provides innovative design proposals for its product offerings to its customers that will improve customer access, vehicle security system quality, theft deterrence and system cost.

The typical process used by automotive manufacturers in selecting a supplier for access control products is to offer the business opportunity to the Company and several of the Company's competitors. Each competitor will pursue the opportunity, doing its best to provide the customer with the most attractive proposal. Price pressure is strong during this process but once an agreement is reached, a commitment is made for each year of the product program. Typically, price reductions resulting from productivity improvement by the Company over the life of the product program are included in the contract and are estimated in evaluating each of these opportunities by the Company. A blanket purchase order, a contract indicating a specified part will be supplied at a specified price during a defined time period, is issued by customers for each model year.  Production quantity releases or quantity commitments are made to that purchase order for weekly deliveries to the customer. As a consequence and because the Company is a "Just-in-Time" supplier to the automotive industry, it does not maintain a backlog of orders in the classic sense for future production and shipment.

Competition

The Company competes with domestic and foreign-based competitors on the basis of custom product design, engineering support, quality, delivery and price.  While the number of direct competitors is currently relatively small, the automotive manufacturers actively encourage competition between potential suppliers. The Company has a large share of the North American market for its access control products because of its ability to provide optimal value, which is a beneficial combination of price, quality, technical support, program management, innovation and aftermarket support.  In order to reduce access control product production costs while still offering a wide range of technical support, the Company utilizes assembly operations and certain light manufacturing operations in Mexico, which results in lower labor costs as compared to the United States.

As locks and keys become more sophisticated and involve additional electronics, competitors with specific electronic expertise may emerge to challenge the Company.  To address this, the Company has strengthened its electrical engineering knowledge and service.  It is also working with several electronics suppliers to jointly develop and supply these advanced products.

The Company’s lockset, housing, latches and power access competitors include Huf North America, Ushin, Valeo, Tokai-Rika, Alpha-Tech, Honda Lock, Shin Chang, Magna, Edscha, Stabilus, Aisin, Brose, Mitsuba, Ohi, Kiekert, Inteva, Key Plastics and Gecom. For additional information related to competition, see the information set forth under “Risk Factors-Highly Competitive Automotive Supply Industry” included on page 31 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Research and Development

The Company engages in research and development activities pertinent to automotive access control. A major area of focus for research is the expanding role of vehicle access via electronic interlocks and modes of communicating authorization data between consumers and vehicles. Development activities include new products, applications and product performance improvements. In addition, specialized data collection equipment is developed to facilitate increased product development efficiency and continuous quality improvements. For fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company spent approximately $280,000, $700,000, and $1.3 million, respectively, on research and development. The Company believes that, historically, it has committed sufficient resources to research and development and will continue to invest in the future as required to support additional product programs associated with both existing and new customers. Patents are pursued and will continue to be pursued as appropriate to protect the Company's interests resulting from these activities.

4


 

Customer Tooling

The Company incurs costs related to tooling used in component production and assembly.  Some of these costs are reimbursed by customers who then own the tools involved.  See the information set forth under “Notes to Financial Statements-Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Customer Tooling in Progress” included on page 39 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Environmental Compliance

As is the case with other manufacturers, the Company is subject to Federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements relating to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of its  manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended), the Clean Water Act of 1990 (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended). The Company has an environmental management system that is ISO-14001 certified.  The Company believes that its existing environmental management system is adequate and it has no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in the environmental area.

As discussed in “Notes to Financial Statements-Commitments and Contingencies” included on page 49 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, a site at the Company’s Milwaukee facility is contaminated by a solvent spill from a former above-ground solvent storage tank located on the east side of the facility, which spill occurred in 1985.   This situation is being monitored by the Company.

The Company does not currently anticipate any materially adverse impact on its financial statements or competitive position as a result of compliance with Federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws or other legal requirements. However, risk of environmental liability and charges associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of the Company's business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or charges could not arise.

Employees

At June 28, 2015, the Company had approximately 3,420 full-time employees, of which approximately 260 or 7.6 percent were represented by a labor union, which accounts for all production associates at the Company’s Milwaukee facility.  The current contract with the unionized associates is effective through September 17, 2018.  During June 2001, there was a 16-day strike by the represented employees at the Company's Milwaukee facility. Further information regarding the strike, work stoppages and other labor matters are discussed under “Risk Factors-Disruptions Due to Work Stoppages and Other labor Matters” included on page 31 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Available Information

The Company maintains its corporate website at www.strattec.com and makes available, free of charge, through this website its code of business ethics, annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings and amendments to those reports that the Company files with, or furnishes to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Commission.  The Company is not including all the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  However, this report includes (or incorporates by reference) all material information about the Company that is included on the Company’s website which is otherwise required to be included in this report.

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

The information set forth under “Risk Factors” which appears on pages 29 through 32 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.  The risks described in the section “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders are not the only risks the Company faces.  Additional risks that the Company does not yet know of or that it currently thinks are immaterial may also impair its business operations.  If any of the events or circumstances described in those risks actually occur, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.  In such cases, the trading price of the Company’s common stock could decline.

Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

5


 

Item 2.   Properties

The Company has four manufacturing plants, one warehouse, and one sales office. These facilities are described as follows:

 

Location

Type

Sq. Ft.

 

Owned or Leased

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Headquarters and General Offices; Component

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing and Service Parts Distribution

 

352,000

 

Owned

Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico

Subsidiary Offices and Assembly

 

97,000

 

Owned

Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico

Subsidiary Offices and Assembly

 

76,000

 

Owned

Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico

Subsidiary Offices, Key Finishing, Injection

 

 

 

 

 

Molding and Assembly Operations

 

140,000

 

Owned

El Paso, Texas

Finished Goods Warehouse

 

94,530

 

Leased**

Auburn Hills, Michigan

Sales and Engineering Office for Detroit Customer Area

 

58,700

 

Owned

 

**

Leased unit within a complex.

The Company believes that its current production facilities will be adequate to support its production operations for the foreseeable future.

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings from time to time.  The Company does not believe it is currently involved in any claim or action the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

6


 

PART II

Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program on October 16, 1996, and the program was publicly announced on October 17, 1996.  Since inception of the stock repurchase program, the Board of Directors has periodically increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the program.  At June 28, 2015, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for repurchase under the program totaled 3,839,395.  The program currently authorizes the repurchase of the Company’s common stock from time to time, directly or through brokers or agents, and has no expiration date.  Over the life of the repurchase program through June 28, 2015, a total of 3,655,322 shares have been repurchased at a cost of approximately $136.4 million.  No shares were repurchased during the quarter or year ended June 28, 2015.

The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “STRT.”

The information set forth under “Financial Summary – Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” included on page 61 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

The information set forth under “Financial Summary – Five Year Financial Summary,” which appears on page 60 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.   Such information should be read along with the Company’s financial statements and the notes to those financial statements and with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference elsewhere herein.

Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” which appears on pages 14 through 32 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our exposure to market risk is limited to interest rate fluctuations on borrowings under our secured revolving credit facilities, foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our foreign operations, and fluctuations in raw material commodity prices.  We do not utilize financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rates:  We are subject to interest rate fluctuations on borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.  At June 28, 2015, we had $10 million of outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities.  The interest expense related to borrowings under the credit facilities during the year ended June 28, 2015 was $71,000.  A 10% increase or decrease in the interest rate on borrowings would not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Foreign Currency:  We are subject to foreign currency exchange rate exposure related to the U.S. dollar costs of our manufacturing operations in Mexico.  A portion of our manufacturing costs are incurred in Mexican pesos.  Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate.  During fiscal 2013, we had agreements with Bank of Montreal that provided for two weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts to cover a portion of our weekly estimated peso denominated operating costs. The contracts with Bank of Montreal expired on June 28, 2013. The two weekly option contracts were for equivalent notional amounts. The contracts provided for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 12.40 if the spot rate at the weekly expiry date was below an average of 12.40 or for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 13.40 if the spot rate at the weekly expiry date was above an average of 13.40.  Our objective in entering into these currency option contracts was to minimize our earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. The Mexican peso option contracts were not used for speculative purposes and were not designated as hedges. As a result, all currency option contracts were recognized in our accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value and changes in the fair value of the currency option contracts were reported in current earnings as part of Other Income, net. The premiums paid and received under the weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts netted to zero. As a result, premiums related to the contracts did not impact our earnings. No Mexican peso currency option contracts were in effect during fiscal 2015 or 2014 and none were outstanding as of June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 or June 30, 2013.

7


 

The pre-tax effects of the Mexican peso option contracts on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28, 2015

 

 

June 29, 2014

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

27

 

Realized (loss)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(39

)

Unrealized gain (loss)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

395

 

 

See “Notes to Financial Statements-Subsequent Event” included on page 44 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference, for more information on the Mexican peso option contracts entered into by the Company subsequent to the end of fiscal 2015.

See “Risk Factors – Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations” included on page 30 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference, for more information.

Raw Materials Commodity Prices:  Our primary raw materials are high-grade zinc, brass, nickel silver, aluminum, steel and plastic resins. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but we have chosen to concentrate our sourcing with one primary vendor for each commodity or purchased component. We believe our sources of raw materials are reliable and adequate for our needs. However, the development of future sourcing issues related to using existing or alternative raw materials and the global availability of these materials as well as significant fluctuations in the market prices of these materials may have an adverse effect on our financial results if the increased raw material costs cannot be recovered from our customers. Given the significant financial impact on us relating to changes in the cost of our primary raw materials, commencing with fiscal 2008, we began quoting quarterly material price adjustments for changes in our zinc costs in our negotiations with our customers. Our success in obtaining these quarterly price adjustments in our customer contracts is dependent on separate negotiations with each customer. It is not a standard practice for our customers to include such price adjustments in their contracts. We have been successful in obtaining quarterly price adjustments in some of our customer contracts. However, we have not been successful in obtaining the adjustments with all of our customers.  See “Risk Factors –Sources of and Fluctuations in Market Prices of Raw Materials” included on page 30 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference, for more information.

Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements, together with the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated September 4, 2015, the report of management on internal control over financial reporting and the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP on internal control over financial reporting dated September 4, 2015, which appear on pages 33 through 59 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, are incorporated herein by reference.

Our quarterly results of operations included under “Financial Summary-Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” which appears on page 61 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.   Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

8


 

Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The Company carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report at reaching a level of reasonable assurance.   It should be noted that in designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  The Company has designed its disclosure controls and procedures to reach a level of reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 28, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The report of management required under this Item 9A is included on page 57 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders under the heading “Report on Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and is incorporated herein by reference.

The attestation report required under this Item 9A is included on page 58 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9B.   Other Information

Not applicable.

9


 

PART III

Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information included in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,”  “Corporate Governance Matters-Code of Business Ethics,” “Audit Committee Matters-Audit Committee Financial Expert,” “Executive Officers,”  “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, and “Corporate Governance Matters-Director Nominations” is incorporated herein by reference.

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors is an “audit committee” for purposes of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The members of the Audit Committee consist of three outside independent directors, David R. Zimmer, Audit Committee Chairman, Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr., and Michael J. Koss.

Item 11.   Executive Compensation

The information included in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, under “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” is incorporated herein by reference.

The information incorporated by reference from “Report of the Compensation Committee” in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

The information included in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, under “Security Ownership” is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes share information, as of June 28, 2015, for the Company's Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Plan Category

 

Number of

common shares to be

issued upon exercise

of outstanding

options,

warrants, and rights

 

 

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants, and rights

 

 

Number of

common shares

available for future

issuance under

equity

compensation plans

 

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders

 

 

163,907

 

 

$

27.97

 

 

 

253,989

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

163,907

 

 

$

27.97

 

 

 

253,989

 

 

Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information included in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, under “Transactions With Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance Matters-Director Independence” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information included in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated on or about September 4, 2015, under “Audit Committee Matters-Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” is incorporated herein by reference.

10


 

PART IV

Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

(1)

Financial Statements - The following financial statements of the Company, included on pages 33 through 59 of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, are incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Form 10-K annual report:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Deloitte & Touche LLP)

Consolidated Balance Sheets - as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013

Notes to Financial Statements

 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedule

All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or are not required, or because the required information has been included in the Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

(3)

Exhibits.  See “Exhibit Index” beginning on page 13 of this report.

 

(b)

Exhibits

See “Exhibit Index” and the exhibits attached hereto or previously filed as described in the “Exhibit Index” beginning on page 13 of this report.

 

(c)

Financial Statement Schedules

None required.

11


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

By:

/s/ Frank J. Krejci

Frank J. Krejci

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:  September 4, 2015

Pursuant to the requirement 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/ Frank J. Krejci

 

President, Chief Executive Officer,

 

September 4, 2015

                      Frank J. Krejci

 

and Director

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Harold M. Stratton II

 

Chairman and Director

 

August 20, 2015

                      Harold M. Stratton II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael J. Koss

 

Director

 

August 20, 2015

                      Michael J. Koss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr.

 

Director

 

August 20, 2015

                      Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David R. Zimmer

 

Director

 

August 20, 2015

                      David R. Zimmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Patrick J. Hansen

 

Senior Vice President, Chief

 

September 4, 2015

                      Patrick J. Hansen

 

Financial Officer,

 

 

 

 

Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and

 

 

 

 

Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

12


 

EXHIBIT INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT

ON FORM 10-K

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1 (1)

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

3.2 (2)

 

By-laws of the Company

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.1 (4)

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2011, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.2 (4)

 

Security Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2011, made by STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION in favor of BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.3 (10)

 

Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2013, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.4 (9)

 

Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2015, between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.5 (9)

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2012, between ADAC-STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.6 (9)

 

Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2014, between ADAC- STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

4.7 (9)

 

Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2015, between ADAC- STRATTEC LLC and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as lender

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1 (11)**

 

Amended and Restated STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Stock Incentive Plan

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2 (13)**

 

Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with employees

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.3 **

 

Amended STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers (filed herewith)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.4 (6) **

 

Amended STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Non-employee Members of the Board of Directors

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.5 (12) **

 

Amended and Restated STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.6 (5)**

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank J. Krejci, Patrick J. Hansen, Rolando J. Guillot, Brian J. Reetz and Richard P. Messina made as of May 5, 2010.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.7 (5)**

 

Change of Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank J. Krejci, Patrick J. Hansen, Rolando J. Guillot, Brian J. Reetz and Richard P. Messina made as of May 5, 2010.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.8 (13)**

 

Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with non-employee directors

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.9 (8)**

 

Amended STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.10 (7)**

 

Letter Agreement between the Company and Harold M. Stratton II made as of September 1, 2012

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended June 28, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 (3)

 

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated September 4, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification for Frank J. Krejci, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification for Patrick J. Hansen, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32 (14)

 

18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certifications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive Data Files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T

 

 

 

*

Previously filed

**

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

13


 

 

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 2 to the Form 10 filed on February 6, 1995.

(2)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on October 7, 2005.

(3)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the June 29, 2008 Form 10-K filed on August 29, 2008.

(4)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2011.

(5)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the March 28, 2010 Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2010.

(6)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the July 3, 2011 Form 10-K filed on September 8, 2011.

(7)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the July 1, 2012 Form 10-K filed on September 6, 2012.

(8)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013.

(9)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2015.

(10)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2013.

(11)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2014.

(12)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2013.

(13)

Incorporated by reference from the exhibit to the Form 10-K filed on September 5, 2014.

(14)

This certification is not "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

14

strt-ex103_421.htm

Exhibit 10.3

ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED BONUS PLAN

FOR

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

AND

SENIOR MANAGERS

Effective February 27, 1995

As Amended August 24, 1999, August 21, 2001, October 23, 2001,

May 20, 2003, August 17, 2004, October 4, 2005, August 22, 2006,

August 24, 2007, October 7, 2008, July 4, 2011, August 20, 2012

and February 19, 2013

 

 

 


ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED PLAN

FOR

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

AND

SENIOR MANAGERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

I.

Plan Objectives

1

 

 

 

II.

Plan Administration

1

 

 

 

III.

Definitions

1

 

 

 

IV.

Eligibility

3

 

 

 

V.

Individual Participation Levels

3

 

 

 

VI.

Performance Factors

3

 

 

 

VII.

Change in Status During Plan Year

5

 

 

 

VIII.

Bonus Paid and Bonus Bank

5

 

 

 

IX.

Administrative Provisions

7

 

 

 

X.

Miscellaneous

7

 

 

 

 


I.

PLAN OBJECTIVES

 

A.

To promote the maximization of shareholder value over the long term by providing incentive compensation to key employees of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (the “Company”) in a form which is designed to financially reward participants for an increase in the value of the Company.

 

B.

To provide competitive levels of compensation to enable the Company to attract and retain people who are able to exert a significant impact on the value of the Company to its shareholders.

 

C.

To encourage teamwork and cooperation in the achievement of Company goals.

II.

PLAN ADMINISTRATION

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) shall be responsible for the design, administration, and interpretation of the Plan, subject to the Administrative Provisions contained in Article IX.

III.

DEFINITIONS

 

A.

Accrued Bonus” means the bonus, which may be negative or positive, which is calculated in the manner set forth in Section V.A.

 

B.

Actual EVA” means the EVA as calculated for the relevant Plan Year.

 

C.

Base Salary” means:

 

(1)

For Participants who are employed by the Company and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC, all wages paid in the Plan Year, excluding employment signing bonuses, EVA bonus payments, reimbursement or other expense allowances, imputed income, value of fringe benefits (cash and non‑cash), moving reimbursements, welfare benefits and special payments.

 

(2)

For Participants who are employed by the STRATTEC de Mexico S.A. de C.V., and ADAC-STRATTEC de MEXICO, “Base Salary” includes regular salary, holidays and vacations paid during the Plan Year.  Base salary does not include overtime, profit sharing, Christmas bonuses, vacation premiums, signing bonuses, EVA bonus payments, reimbursements and other expense allowances, imputed income, the value of fringe benefits (cash and non‑cash), moving reimbursements and special payments.

 

D.

Capital” means the Company’s average monthly operating capital for the Plan Year, calculated as follows:

Current Assets

+

Bad Debt Reserve

+

LIFO Reserve

-

Future Income Tax Benefits

-

Current Noninterest‑Bearing Liabilities

+

Property, Plant, Equipment, (Net)

-

Construction in Progress

(+/-)

Unusual Capital Items

 

E.

Capital Charge” means the deemed opportunity cost of employing Capital in the Company’s business, determined as follows:

Capital Charge = Capital x Cost of Capital

 

F.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and as interpreted by applicable regulations and rulings.

 

G.

Company” means STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION.  The Company’s Compensation Committee may act on behalf of the Company with respect to this Plan.

 

 

 

 


 

H.

Cost of Capital means the weighted average of the cost of equity and the after tax cost of debt for the relevant Plan Year.  For Plan administration purposes, it is assumed the Companys capital structure will be 80% Equity and 20% Debt.  The Cost of Capital will be initially set at 10% for fiscal year 2008 and reviewed by the Compensation Committee prior to each Plan Year thereafter, consistent with the following methodology:

 

(1)

Cost of Equity = Risk Free Rate + (Business Risk Index x Average Equity Risk Premium)

 

(2)

Debt Cost of Capital = Debt Yield x (1 ‑ Tax Rate)

 

(3)

The weighted average of the Cost of Equity and the Debt Cost of Capital is determined by reference to the expected debt‑to‑capital ratio

where the Risk Free Rate is the average daily closing yield rate on 10 year U.S. Treasury Notes for an appropriate period (determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time) preceding the relevant Plan Year, the Business Risk Index is determined by reference to an auto supply industry factor selected by the Compensation Committee, the Average Equity Risk Premium is 6%, the Debt Yield is the weighted average yield of all borrowing included in the Company’s permanent capital, and the tax rate is the combination of the relevant corporate Federal and state income tax rates.

 

I.

Disabilities or Disabled” means that the Participant:  (1) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment  that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or (2) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company.

 

J.

Economic Value Added” or “EVA” means the NOPAT that remains after subtracting the Capital Charge, expressed as follows:

EVA = NOPAT - Capital Charge

EVA may be positive or negative.

 

K.

Effective Date” means February 27, 1995, the date as of which the Plan first applies to the Company.

 

L.

EVA Leverage Factor” means the adjustment factor reflecting deviation in the use of capital employed as a percentage of capital employed.  For purposes of this Plan, the Company’s EVA Leverage Factor is determined to be 3% of the monthly average net operating capital employed during the prior Plan year.

For fiscal year 2008 (beginning July 2, 2007) the EVA Leverage Factor is set at $3,316,000.

 

M.

Leave of Absence” means that the Participant is on a sick leave, military leave or other bona fide leave of absence (such as temporary employment by the government) if the period of the leave does not exceed six months.  If the leave is longer, the Participant’s right to reemployment with the Company must be provided by statute or contract.  A Participant who is on a Leave of Absence has not terminated employment.

 

N.

NOPAT” means cash adjusted net operating profits after taxes for the Plan Year, calculated as follows:

Net Sales

-

Cost of Goods Sold

(+ -)

Change in LIFO Reserve

-

Engineering/Selling & Admin.

(+ -)

Change in Bad Debt Reserve

(+ -)

Other Income & Expense excluding Interest Expense

(+ -)

Other Unusual Income or Expense Items (See Section VI.B.)

(+ -)

Amortization of Unusual Income or Expense Items

 

-    Cash Adjusted Taxes on the Above (+/‑ change in deferred tax liability)

 

O.

Participant” means individual who has satisfied the eligibility requirements of the Plan as provided in Section IV.

 

P.

Plan Year” means the one‑year period coincident with the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Q.

Executive Officers” means those Participants designated as Executive Officers by the Compensation Committee with respect to any Plan Year.

 

R.

Senior Managers” means those Participants designated as Senior Managers by the Compensation Committee with respect to any Plan Year.

 

S.

Separation from Service” means the events which allow the Available Balance (minus income and employment taxes) to be paid to an Executive Officer, as specified in Article VIII(C)(8)(b).

2


 

T.

Target EVA means the target level of EVA for the Plan Year, determined as follows:

 

 

Current Plan

 

  =  

Prior YearPrior Year

Target EVA   +   Actual EVA

 

  +  

 

Expected

Year Target EVA

 

2

 

Improvement

Expected Improvement will be approved by the Board of Directors annually, based on increasing economic value in the context of the then current relevant economic conditions.

For fiscal year 2008 (beginning July 2, 2007) the Target EVA is set at $1,154,000.

IV.

ELIGIBILITY

 

A.

Eligible Positions.  In general, only Executive Officers and Senior Managers selected by the Compensation Committee may be eligible for participation in the Plan.  However, actual participation will depend upon the contribution and impact each eligible employee may have on the Company’s value to its shareholders, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

B.

Nomination and Approval.  Each Plan Year, the Chairman and President will nominate eligible employees to participate in the Plan for the next Plan Year.  The Compensation Committee will have the final authority to select Plan participants (the “Participants”) among the eligible employees nominated by the Chairman and President.  Continued participation in the Plan is contingent on approval of the Compensation Committee.

 

C.

Employee Performance Requirement.  Employees whose performance is rated “Needs Improvement” on their annual performance review will not be eligible for an EVA bonus applicable to the year covered by such performance review.  However, if the employee so rated is subject to a performance improvement plan, and successfully meets the requirement of the plan in the time frame prescribed, the employee’s EVA eligibility will be reinstated, and the EVA bonus will be paid with the next regular payroll check following reinstatement.

V.

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION LEVELS

 

A.

Calculation of Accrued Bonus.  Each Participant’s Accrued Bonus will be determined as a function of the Participant’s Base Salary, the Participant’s Target Incentive Award (provided in paragraph V.B., below), Company Performance Factor (provided in Section VI.A.) and the Individual Performance Factor (provided in Section VI.C.) for the Plan Year.  Each Participant’s Accrued Bonus will be calculated as follows:

 

 

Participant’s

Earned Wages

x

 

Target

Incentive

Award

x

 

Company Performance
Factor

   +   

 

Individual Performance
Factor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

B.

Target Incentive Awards.  The Target Incentive Awards will be determined according to the following schedule:

 

Position

Target Incentive Award

(% of Base Salary)

Chairman or President and CEO

75%

President and COO

65%

Executive Vice President

50%

Senior Vice President

45%

Vice President

25-35%

Senior Managers as approved each year pursuant to section IV.B

12%‑20%

VI.

PERFORMANCE FACTORS

 

A.

Company Performance Factor Calculation.  For any Plan Year, the Company Performance Factor will be calculated as follows:

 

Company Performance Factor

=

1.00

+

Actual EVA ‑ Target EVA

 

 

 

 

EVA Leverage Factor

3


 

B.

Adjustments to Company Performance.  When Company performance is based on Economic Value Added or other quantifiable financial or accounting measure, it may be necessary to exclude significant, unusual, unbudgeted or noncontrollable gains or losses from actual financial results in order to measure performance properly.  The Compensation Committee will decide those items that shall be considered in adjusting actual results.  For example, some types of items that may be considered for exclusion are:

 

(1)

Any gains or losses which will be treated as extraordinary in the Company’s financial statements.

 

(2)

Profits or losses of any entities acquired by the Company during the Plan Year, assuming they were not included in the budget and/or the goal.

 

(3)

Material gains or losses not in the budget and/or the goal which are of a nonrecurring nature and are not considered to be in the ordinary course of business.  Some of these would be as follows:

 

(a)

Gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate or property.

 

(b)

Gains resulting from insurance recoveries when such gains relate to claims filed in prior years.

 

(c)

Losses resulting from natural catastrophes, when the cause of the catastrophe is beyond the control of the Company and did not result from any failure or negligence on the Company’s part.

 

C.

Individual Performance Factor Calculation.  Determination of the Individual Performance Factor will be the responsibility of the individual to whom the participant reports.  This determination will be subject to approval by the Chairman and President (or the Compensation Committee with respect to the Chairman and President) and shall conform with the process set forth below:

 

(1)

Quantifiable Supporting Performance Factors.  The Individual Performance Factor of the Accrued Bonus calculation will be based on the accomplishment of individual, financial and/or other goals (“Supporting Performance Factors”).  Whenever possible, individual performance will be evaluated according to quantifiable benchmarks of success.  These Supporting Performance Factors will be enumerated from 0 to 2.0 based on the levels of achievement for each goal per the schedule in VI C.(2).  Provided, however, that if the quantifiable Supporting Performance Factor is based on the Company Performance Factor as set forth in Section VI.A., then the Supporting Performance Factor may be unlimited.

 

(2)

Non‑Quantifiable Supporting Performance Factors.  When performance cannot be measured according to a quantifiable monitoring system, an assessment of the Participant’s overall performance may be made based on a non‑quantifiable Supporting Performance Factor (or Factors).  The individual to whom the Participant reports (or the Compensation Committee with respect to the Chairman) will evaluate the Participant’s performance based on behavioral attributes and overall performance and this evaluation will determine the Participant’s Supporting Performance Factor (or Factors) according to the following schedule:

 

Non Quantifiable
Supporting
Performance Rating

 

Supporting

Performance Factor

Quantifiable
Supporting
Performance Rating

Significantly Exceeds Requirements

1.8‑2.0

Significantly Exceeds Goal

Exceeds Requirements

1.4‑1.7

Exceeds Goal

Meets Requirements

.7‑1.3

Meets Goal

Marginally meets Requirements

.3‑.6

Goal Not Met, but Significant Progress Made

Needs Improvements

0‑.2

Goal Not Met

 

(3)

Aggregate Individual Performance Factor.  The Individual Performance Factor to be used in the calculation of the Accrued Bonus shall be equal to the sum of the quantifiable and/or non‑quantifiable Supporting Performance Factor(s), divided by two as follows:

 

Individual
Performance
Factor

=

Quantifiable
Supporting
Performance
Factor

+

Non‑Quantifiable
Supporting
Performance
Factor

 

 

2

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the individual to whom the Participant reports (with the approval of the Chairman and President or the Compensation Committee with respect to the Chairman and President), shall have the authority to weight the Supporting Performance Factors, according to relative importance.  The weighting of each Supporting Performance Factor shall be expressed as a percentage, and the sum of the percentages applied to all of the Supporting Performance Factors shall be 100%.  The Individual Performance Factor, if weighted factors are used, will then be equal to the weighted average of such Supporting Performance Factors.

4


VII.

CHANGE IN STATUS DURING THE PLAN YEAR

 

A.

New Hires and Promotions.  A newly hired employee or an employee promoted during the Plan Year to a position qualifying for participation (or leaving the participating class) may accrue (subject to discretion of the Compensation Committee) a pro rata Accrued Bonus based on Base Salary received.

 

B.

Discharge.  An employee discharged during the Plan Year shall not be eligible for an Accrued Bonus, even though his or her service arrangement or contract extends past year‑end, unless the Compensation Committee determines that the conditions of the termination indicate that a prorated Accrued Bonus is appropriate.  The Compensation Committee shall have full and final authority in making such a determination.

 

C.

Resignation.  An employee who resigns during the Plan Year to accept employment elsewhere (including self‑employment) will not be eligible for an Accrued Bonus, unless the Compensation Committee determines that the conditions of the termination indicate that a prorated Bonus is appropriate.  The Compensation Committee shall have full and final authority in making such a determination.

 

D.

Death, Disability and Retirement.  If a Participant’s employment is terminated during a Plan Year by reason of death, Disability, or normal or early retirement under the Company’s retirement plan, a tentative Accrued Bonus will be calculated as if the Participant had remained employed as of the end of the Plan Year.  The final Accrued Bonus will be calculated based upon the Base Salary received.

Each employee may name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under this Plan is to be paid in case of the employee’s death.

Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the employee, shall be in the form prescribed by the Compensation Committee, and shall be effective only when filed by the employee in writing with the Compensation Committee during his or her lifetime.

In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the employee’s death shall be paid to the employee’s estate.

 

E.

Leave of Absence.  An employee whose status as an active employee is changed during a Plan Year as a result of a Leave of Absence may, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, be eligible for a pro rata Accrued Bonus determined in the same way as in paragraph D of this Section.

 

F.

Needs Improvement Status.  Associates whose performance has been rated Needs Improvement on their annual performance review will not be eligible for an EVA bonus until such time as their performance is at an acceptable level.  If the associate’s performance returns to an acceptable level, the EVA bonus that was withheld will be paid with the next available pay period.

VIII.

BONUS PAID AND BONUS BANK

The Accrued Bonus will be either paid to the Participant, or a portion credited to or charged against a Bonus Bank as provided in this Article.

 

A.

Participants Who Are Not Executives Officers.  All positive Accrued Bonuses of Participants who are not Executive Officers for the Plan Year shall be paid in full, less amounts required by law to be withheld for income and employment tax purposes, not later than December 31 following the end of the Plan Year in which the Accrued Bonus was earned.  Participants who are not Executive Officers shall not have any portion of their Accrued Bonuses banked.

 

B.

Participants Who Are Executive Officers.  The Total Bonus Payout to Participants who are Executive Officers for the Plan Year shall be as follows:

Total Bonus Payout = [Accrued Bonus - Extraordinary Bonus Accrual] + Bank Payout

The Total Bonus Payout for each Plan Year, less amounts required by law to be withheld for income tax and employment tax purposes, shall be paid not later than December 31 following the end of the Plan Year in which the Accrued Bonus was earned.

 

C.

Establishment of a Bonus Bank.  To encourage a long term commitment to the enhancement of shareholder value by Executive Officers, “Extraordinary Bonus Accruals” shall be credited to an “at risk” deferred account (“Bonus Bank”) for each such Participant, and all negative Accrued Bonuses shall be charged against the Bonus Bank, as determined in accordance with the following:

 

1.

Bonus Bank” means, with respect to each Executive Officer, a bookkeeping record of an account to which Extraordinary Bonus Accruals or positive Accrued Bonuses are credited, and negative Accrued Bonuses debited as the case may be, for each Plan Year, and from which bonus payments to such Executive Officers are debited.

5


 

2.

Bank Balance means, with respect to each Executive Officer, a bookkeeping record of the net balance of the amounts credited to and debited against such Executive Officers Bonus Bank.  The Bank Balance shall initially be equal to zero and can never be less than zero.

 

3.

Extraordinary Bonus Accrual” shall mean the amount of the Accrued Bonus for any year that exceeds 1.25 times the portion of the Executive Officer’s Base Salary which is represented by the Target Incentive Award.

 

4.

Annual Allocation.  Each Executive Officer’s Extraordinary Bonus Accrual, positive Accrued Bonus or negative Accrued Bonus is credited or debited to the Bonus Bank maintained for that Executive Officer.  Such Annual Allocation will occur as soon as administratively feasible after the end of each Plan Year.

 

5.

Available Balance” means the Bank Balance at the point in time immediately after the Annual Allocation has been made.

 

6.

Payout Percentage” means the percentage of the Available Balance that may be paid out in cash to the Participant.  The Payout Percentage will equal 33%.

 

7.

Bank Payout” means the amount of the Available Balance that may be paid out in cash to the Executive Officer for each Plan Year.  The Bank Payout is calculated as follows:

Bank Payout = Available Balance x Payout Percentage

The Bank Payout is subtracted from the Bank Balance.

 

8.

Treatment of Available Balance Upon Termination.

 

(a)

Resignation or Termination With Cause.  Executive Officers leaving voluntarily to accept employment elsewhere (including self‑employment) or who are terminated with cause will forfeit their Available Balance.

 

(b)

Retirement, Death, Disability or Termination Without Cause.  In the event of an Executive Officer’s normal or early retirement under the STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Retirement Plan, death, Disability, or termination without cause (“Separation from Service”), the Available Balance, less amounts required by law to be withheld for income tax and employment tax purposes shall be paid to the Executive Officer.  The Plan will pay the amount as a lump sum.  If the Executive Officer’s Separation from Service occurs before March 15 of the Plan Year, the lump sum shall be paid the following September 15.  If the Executive Officer’s Separation from Service occurs on or after March 15 of the Plan Year, the lump sum shall be paid on the date which is six months after the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service.

 

(c)

For purposes of this Plan ‘‘cause” shall mean:

 

(i)

The willful and continued failure of a Participant to perform substantially the Participant’s duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Participant by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Participant has not substantially performed the Participant’s duties, or

 

(ii)

The willful engaging by the Participant in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Participant, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.  The cessation of employment of the Participant shall not be deemed to be for cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Participant a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three‑quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Participant and the Participant is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Participant is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

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IX.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

 

A.

Amendments.  Subject to Code section 409A which applies to payments which are deferred compensation under this Plan, the Compensation Committee or full Board of Directors of the Company shall have the right to amend or restate the Plan at any time from time to time.  The Company reserves the right to suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.  No such modification, amendment, suspension, or termination may, without the consent of any affected participants (or beneficiaries of such participants in the event of death), reduce the rights of any such participants (or beneficiaries, as applicable) to a payment or distribution already earned under Plan terms in effect prior to such change.  The provisions of the Plan as in effect at the time of a Participant’s termination of employment shall control as to that Participant, unless otherwise specified in the Plan.

 

B.

Authority to Act.  The Compensation Committee or full Board of Directors may act on behalf of the Company for purposes of the Plan.

 

C.

Interpretation of Plan.  Any decision of the Compensation Committee with respect to any issues concerning individuals selected for awards, the amounts, terms, form and time of payment of awards, and interpretation of any Plan guideline, definition, or requirement shall be final and binding.

The Compensation Committee may determine that a Participant is Disabled if the Participant is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration.  The Compensation Committee may also determine that the Participant is Disabled in accordance with a disability insurance program, provided that the definition of disability applied under that program complies with the definition of Disability provided under this Plan.

 

D.

Effect of Award on Other Employee Benefits.  By acceptance of a bonus award, each recipient agrees that such award is special additional compensation and that it will not affect any employee benefit, e.g., life insurance, etc., in which the recipient participates, except as provided in paragraph D. below.

 

E.

Retirement Programs.  Awards made under this Plan shall be included in the employee’s compensation for purposes of the STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Retirement Plan and STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Employee Savings Investment Plan.

 

F.

Right to Continued Employment; Additional Awards.  The receipt of a bonus award shall not give the recipient any right to continued employment, and the right and power to dismiss any employee is specifically reserved to the Company.  In addition, the receipt of a bonus award with respect to any Plan Year shall not entitle the recipient to an award with respect to any subsequent Plan Year.

X.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

A.

Indemnification.  The Compensation Committee shall not be liable for, and shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which the Compensation Committee may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under this Plan.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person(s) may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation of By‑Laws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify such person(s) or hold such person(s) harmless.

 

B.

Expenses of the Plan.  The expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company.

 

C.

Withholding Taxes.  The Company shall have the right to deduct from all payments under this Plan any Federal or state taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments.

 

D.

Governing Law.  This Plan is subject to federal law, including the requirements of Code section 409A, the proposed regulations for Code section 409A and other guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service.  For purposes of state law, the Plan shall be construed under the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

 

E.

Severability.  This Plan has been amended in pursuant to proposed regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service and is intended to be in good faith compliance with the requirements under Code section 409A.  To the extent that the Compensation Committee determines that additional information or interpretation of the rules, final regulations or other guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service require amendments to the Plan to comply with Code section 409A, the Compensation Committee shall amend the Plan accordingly.  Any provision of this Plan prohibited by law shall be ineffective to the extent of any such prohibition, without invalidating the remaining provisions.  The illegal or invalid provisions shall be fully severable and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had never been included in this Plan.

 

7

Form 8-K

Exhibit 13

 

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LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

Dear STRATTEC Shareholders,

It is appropriate to first thank over 3,000 STRATTEC associates for their extra ordinary efforts this past year. This year should make us all proud of what we have accomplished.

After over 100 years of history, we celebrated our 20th year as an independent company spun off from Briggs & Stratton Corporation. It was highlighted by joining the Russell 2000 and an invitation from NASDAQ to ring the closing bell. It was a fun honor for the Board, the executives and a 20+ year employee chosen at random, who had never been to New York.

Financial:

On top of record sales in 2014, fiscal 2015 achieved both record sales and record profits despite earnings being tempered by extraordinary year-end charges. Long term shareholders have been rewarded with sky high total returns of 70% in fiscal 2013 and another 80% in fiscal 2014. During this fiscal year, similar returns were achieved when our stock price reached a record high. By year end, we returned to earth with modest returns of 7% for 2015.

Operations:

During our first quarter, we were under severe time pressure to deliver parts to support a customer’s warranty recall. It was a very significant effort, but we satisfied our customers’ needs. We benefitted from the added volume, but it was somewhat offset by time pressure inefficiencies and a multi-month plant shutdown by one of our major customers during the last half of our fiscal year.

We ended this otherwise excellent year with a large charge to profits in anticipation of an expected vehicle recall for a quality issue. Learning from this, we are taking action by significantly restructuring our quality organization to further reduce the chance of an event like this repeating in the future.

Less than 10% of our associates are union represented. We cooperatively completed a new 4-year agreement during fiscal 2015.

We are paying attention to managing our financial risks by de-risking our pension asset portfolio. Our position of investments in equities has been cut in half in anticipation of selling this obligation to a financial institution in the next 18 to 24 months.

This has been a year of expansion. STRATTEC operations in Mexico bought a third plant this year to handle increasing volumes and take advantage of other growth opportunities. Our Michigan Sales and Engineering group moved from multiple rented facilities into a purchased facility in Auburn Hills. It brings together sales, engineering, prototype operations and VAST partners under one roof, plus provides branding visibility that we did not have before. For about the same cost, we now have room to grow and can

 

 

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LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

far better display technologies for our customers. These buildings are the primary reason that our capital expenditures were significantly higher than normal this year.

VAST:

Our global alliance, VAST, is extremely important to us. Together, the members of VAST have nearly $1.5 billion in global automotive sales. Yet, in presentations to analysts, it has become obvious that the working structure is confusing. Additional space in this annual report is devoted to better describe how VAST operates and benefits STRATTEC.

Through VAST, we made an important strategic investment to support our global footprint. India is projected to be one of the fastest growing developed economies where many automotive OEMs are making significant investments. We were fortunate that the premiere Indian company, making similar products, became available to partner with us. VAST now owns 50% of Minda-VAST Access Systems. The other half is owned by Spark Minda, a $600 million public company based in India. In addition to participating in Indian growth, we believe this will give VAST the resources to be even more competitive on global quotes.

Diversification:

Our biometric lock company secured the exclusive rights to market its products under the Westinghouse Security name. Securing this agreement resulted in delays and added costs this year. STRATTEC Component Solutions, which does automotive quality contract manufacturing primarily in zinc die casting, is making progress. Both of these endeavors have hurt our bottom line this year, but we fully expect them to generate benefits in the future.

We continue to have conversations with many companies about opportunities to work together in a variety of ways.

Summary:

It was a year which should make us proud of what we accomplished. While it is good to pause and savor the moment, we are already focused on striving for continuous improvement on many fronts. We appreciate the support of our customers, associates, shareholders and directors and view our day to day efforts as both a responsibility and an exciting opportunity.

Sincerely,

 

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Frank J. Krejci

President & Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Net Sales

   $ 411.5       $ 348.4       $ 298.2   

Gross Profit

     72.7         65.8         53.9   

Income from Operations

     31.1         26.5         16.8   

Net Income Attributable to STRATTEC

     20.7         16.4         9.4   

Total Assets

     235.4         213.0         169.5   

Total Debt

     10.0         2.5         2.3   

STRATTEC Shareholders’ Equity

     140.3         125.5         104.2   

ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED (EVA®)

We believe that EVA® represents an accurate measure of STRATTEC’s overall performance and shareholder value. All U.S. associates and many of our Mexico-based salaried associates participate in incentive plans that are based upon our ability to add economic value to the enterprise. The EVA® performance for 2015 was a positive $6.5 million which represents a $200,000 improvement from 2014. (For further explanation of our EVA® Plan, see our 2015 definitive Proxy Statement.)

 

Net Operating Profit After Cash-Basis Taxes

     $ 18.6   

Average Monthly Net Capital Employed

   $ 120.7     

Cost of Capital

     10  
  

 

 

   

Capital Charge

       12.1   
    

 

 

 

Economic Value Added

     $ 6.5   
    

 

 

 

EVA® is not a traditional financial measurement under U.S. GAAP and may not be similar to EVA® calculations used by other companies. However, STRATTEC believes the reporting of EVA® provides investors with greater visibility of economic profit. The following is a reconciliation of the relevant GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP measures used in the calculation of STRATTEC’s EVA®.

Net Operating Profit After Cash-Basis Taxes:

 

2015 Net Income Attributable to STRATTEC as Reported

   $ 20.7   

Deferred Tax Provision

     (3.3

Other

     1.2   
  

 

 

 

Net Operating Profit After Cash-Basis Taxes

   $ 18.6   
  

 

 

 

Average Monthly Net Capital Employed:

 

Total STRATTEC Shareholders’ Equity as Reported at June 28, 2015

   $ 140.3   

Long-Term Liabilities

     18.3   
Other Long-Term Assets      (10.8

Deferred Tax Assets

     (9.6

Other

     (11.5
  

 

 

 

Net Capital Employed at June 28, 2015

   $ 126.7   
Impact of 12 Month Average      (6.0
  

 

 

 
Average Monthly Net Capital Employed    $ 120.7   
  

 

 

 

EVA® is a registered trademark of Stem, Stewart & Co.

 

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

BASIC BUSINESS

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive access control products including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products for North American automotive customers. We also supply global automotive manufacturers through a unique strategic joint venture relationship with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan through VAST LLC (“VAST”). Under this relationship STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market each company’s products to global customers under the “VAST” brand name. Our products are shipped to customer locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Korea and China, and we provide full service and aftermarket support.

 

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STRATTEC was named 2014 Supplier of the Year by Ford Rotunda which recognizes the service business STRATTEC has created.

 

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HISTORY

STRATTEC formerly was a division of Briggs & Stratton Corporation. In 1995, STRATTEC was spun off from Briggs & Stratton through a tax-free distribution to the then-existing Briggs & Stratton shareholders and has been an independent public company for twenty years.

Our history in the automotive security business spans over 100 years. STRATTEC has been the world’s largest producer of automotive locks and keys since the late 1920s, and we currently maintain a dominant share of the North American markets for these products.

 

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PRODUCTS

Our traditional products are lock sets (locks and keys) for cars and light trucks. Typically, two keys are provided with each vehicle lockset. Most of the vehicles we currently supply are using keys with sophisticated radio frequency identification technology for additional theft prevention. Keys with remote entry devices integrated into a single unit and bladeless electronic keys have been added to our product line and are gaining in popularity.

 

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Ignition lock housings represent a growing access control product for us. These housings are the mating part for our ignition locks and typically are part of the steering column structure, although there are instrument panel-mounted versions for certain vehicle applications. These housings are either die cast from zinc or injection molded plastic and may include electronic components for theft deterrent systems.

We are also developing additional access control products, including trunk latches, lift gate latches, tailgate latches, hood latches, side door latches and related hardware. With our acquisition of Delphi Corporation’s Power Products Group in fiscal 2009, we are now supplying power access devices for sliding side doors, lift gates and trunk lids. Through a joint venture formed with ADAC Automotive

 

 

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

during fiscal 2007, we also supply door handle components and related vehicle access hardware.

 

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To maintain a strong focus on each of these access control products, we have Product Business Managers who oversee the product’s entire life cycle, including product concept, application, manufacturing, warranty analysis, service/aftermarket, and financial/commercial issues. The Product Business Managers work closely with our sales organization, our engineering group, and our manufacturing operations to assure their products are receiving the right amount of quality attention so that their value to STRATTEC and the marketplace is enhanced.

 

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MARKETS

We are a direct supplier to OEM automotive and light truck manufacturers as well as other transportation-related manufacturers. Our largest customers are Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company. Our access control product mix varies by customer, but generally our overall sales tend to be highest in lock and key, followed by power access (produced by STRATTEC Power Access), ignition lock housings, the door handle and trim components produced by ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico and latch mechanisms.

Direct sales to various OEMs represented approximately 72% of our total sales for fiscal 2015. The remainder of our revenue is received primarily through sales to the OEM service channels, the aftermarket, Tier 1 automotive supplier customers, and certain products to non-automotive commercial customers.

Sales to our major automotive customers, both OEM and Tier 1, are coordinated through direct sales personnel located in our Detroit-area office. Sales are also facilitated through daily interaction between our Program Managers, Application Engineers and other product engineering personnel. Sales to other OEM customers are accomplished through a combination of our sales personnel located in Detroit and personnel in our Milwaukee headquarters office.

 

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The majority of our OEM products are sold in North America. While a modest amount of exporting is done to Tier 1 and automotive assembly plants in Europe, Asia and South America, we are in the process of expanding our presence in these markets and elsewhere through the Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (VAST) brand we jointly own with WITTE Automotive and ADAC Automotive. VAST is described in more detail on pages 8 and 9.

OEM service and replacement parts are sold to the OEM’s own service operations. In addition, we distribute our components and security products to the automotive aftermarket through approximately 50 authorized wholesale distributors, as well as other marketers and users of component parts, including export customers. Increasingly, our products find their way into the retail channel, specifically the hardware

 

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

store channel. Our ability to provide a full line of keys to that channel has been accomplished through the introduction of the STRATTEC “XL” key line. This extension to our line includes keys that we currently do not supply on an OE basis, including keys for Toyota, Honda and other popular domestic and import vehicles. This extended line of keys enables automotive repair specialists to satisfy consumer needs for repair or replacement parts. Our aftermarket activities are serviced through a warehousing operation in El Paso, Texas.

CUSTOMER SALES FOCUS

To bring the proper focus to the relationships with our major customers, we have seven customer-focused teams, each with a Director of Sales, one or two Engineering Program Managers and Customer Application Engineers. In addition to customer teams for General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, we currently have teams for New Domestic Vehicle Manufacturers (primarily the Japanese and Korean automotive manufactures), Driver Control/Ignition Lock Housing customers, Tier 1 customers, and Service and Aftermarket customers. Sales and engineering for ADAC-STRATTEC LLC are supported by our partner, ADAC Automotive.

Each Sales Director is responsible for the overall relationship between STRATTEC and a specific customer group. Program Managers are responsible for coordinating cross functional activities while managing new product programs for their customers.

 

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STRATTEC manufactures this Maserati electronic key fob.

 

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PRODUCT ENGINEERING FOCUS

To best serve our customers’ product needs, STRATTEC’s engineering resources are organized into groups which focus on specific access control applications. We currently have six engineering groups: Locks and Keys, Aftermarket, Latches, Power Access Devices, Driver Control/Ignition Lock Housings and Electrical. Each group has a Product Business Manager, an Engineering Manager and a complement of skilled engineers who design and develop products for specific applications. In doing this, each engineering group works closely with the Customer teams, Engineering Program Managers, and Application Engineers.

Underlying this organization is a formalized product development process to identify and meet customer needs in the shortest possible time. By following this streamlined development system, we shorten product lead times, tighten our response to market changes and provide our customers with the optimum value solution to

 

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The Aston Martin vehicles use an electronic key fob and mating docking station developed by STRATTEC exclusively for Aston Martin.

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

their security/access control requirements. STRATTEC is also ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified. This means we embrace the philosophy that quality should exist not only in the finished product, but in every step of our processes as well.

 

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OPERATIONS

A significant number of the components that go into our products are manufactured at our headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This facility produces zinc die cast components, stampings and milled key blades. We have three owned production facilities in Juarez, Mexico operating as STRATTEC de Mexico. Plant No. 1 houses assembly operations for locksets, ignition lock housings, and our new STRATTEC Advanced Logic (formerly NextLock) biometric security products. Plant No. 2 was built during fiscal 2009 to replace a leased facility. It houses our key finishing and plastic injection molding operations, as well as dedicated space for the assembly operations of ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico. Plant No. 3 was purchased in Fiscal 2015 and houses both latch and power access assembly operations for STRATTEC Power Access de Mexico.

 

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ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT

Research and development activities are centered around a dedicated research engineering Staff we call our Advanced Development Group. Molding Assembly Facility ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico This group has the responsibility for developing future products that will keep us in the forefront of the markets we serve. We primarily focus on electronic and mechanical access control products and modularization of related access/security control components. Once our Advanced Development Group establishes a proof-of-concept product utilizing new technology, with any further product development being shifted to our engineering groups for commercialization and product applications.

VEHICLE ACCESS SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY LLC (VAST)

In fiscal 2001, we entered into a formal alliance with WITTE-Velbert GmbH, an automotive supplier based in Germany which designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive access control products for European-based customers. This alliance consisted of two initiatives. The first was a set of legal agreements which allowed STRATTEC to manufacture and market WITTE’s core products in North America, and WITTE to manufacture and market STRATTEC’s core products in Europe. The second initiative was a 50-50 joint venture, WITTE-STRATTEC LLC, to invest in operations with local partners in

 

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

strategic markets outside of Europe and North America.

 

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In February of 2006, we announced the expansion of this alliance and related joint venture with the addition of a third partner, ADAC Plastics, Inc. ADAC, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, adds North American expertise in door handles, a part of WITTE’s core product line that STRATTEC did not support, and an expertise in color-matched painting of these components.

With the expansion of the alliance, we can offer a full range of access control related products available on a global basis to support customer programs. To identify this powerful combination of independent companies focused on working together, we renamed the joint venture Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (VAST LLC). We now refer to the combination of the alliance structure and JV simply as “VAST”. WITTE is now called WITTE Automotive, and ADAC is now doing business as ADAC Automotive. We have adopted a common graphic image in which we share a logo mark and colors, and a specific VAST logo used on the partners’ printed and electronic presentation materials. VAST made investments with a local partner in Brazil in September, 2001, and local partners in China in March, 2002. However, during fiscal 2010, VAST LLC purchased the remaining 40 percent interest of its local partners in the China venture. VAST China is now wholly owned by VAST LLC and had annual net sales of approximately $120 million during fiscal 2015. This was an important step which gives STRATTEC a one-third interest in VAST China’s activities in the important growing

 

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

Chinese/Asia market. In March 2014, VAST LLC purchased the remaining 49 percent interest of its local partner in Brazil, which had annual net sales of approximately $3 million during fiscal 2015.

 

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On April 30, 2015 VAST LLC executed a purchase agreement to become a 50:50 Joint Venture partner with Minda Management Services Limited, an affiliate of both Minda Corporation Limited and Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group of New Delhi, India (collectively, “Minda”). VAST acquired a fifty percent equity interest in the former Minda-Valeo Security Systems joint venture entity, based in Pune, India, for approximately $12 million. This joint venture entity was renamed, Minda-VAST Access Systems (“Minda-VAST”). Minda-VAST will have operations in Pune and Delhi and is expected to have annual sales of approximately $40 million. Minda is a leading manufacturer of security & access products and handles, for both OEMs and the aftermarket in India.

VAST is the embodiment of STRATTEC’s, WITTE’s and ADAC’s globalization strategy. We are developing VAST as a global brand with which we are jointly pursuing business with identified global customers. Those identified customers are General Motors, Ford, Fiat/Chrysler, Volkswagen, Honda, Toyota, Renault/Nissan and Hyundai/Kia.

To manage our customer relationships and coordinate global ventures and activities, we have established a VAST Management Group led by a President. The Management Group includes three Vice Presidents, one each from WITTE, STRATTEC and ADAC. With the focus provided by this Management Group, VAST is able to manage global programs with a single point of contact for customers, with the added advantage of providing regional support from the partners’ operating entities. Combined with VAST LLC’s ventures in China and Brazil, and sales/engineering offices in Japan and Korea, this structure establishes our global footprint.

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

STRATTEC LEGAL OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE INCLUDING VAST

 

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ADAC-STRATTEC de MEXICO

During fiscal 2007, we formed a new entity with ADAC Automotive called ADAC-STRATTEC LLC including a wholly owned Mexican subsidiary ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico (ASdM). The purpose of this joint venture is to produce certain ADAC and STRATTEC products utilizing ADAC’s plastic injection molding expertise and STRATTEC’s assembly capability. ASdM currently operates out of defined space in STRATTEC de Mexico Plant No. 2 located in Juarez, Mexico. Products from this joint venture include non-painted door handle components and exterior trim components for OEM customers producing in North America. STRATTEC owns 51% of this joint venture and its financial results are consolidated into STRATTEC’s financial statements. In our fiscal years ending 2015 and 2014, ASdM was profitable and represented $60.9 and $48.0 million, respectively, of our consolidated net sales.

 

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STRATTEC has introduced the BOLT line of products, the world’s first codeable padlock. In a simple one-step process, users can code the padlock to their vehicle key. This provides significant convenience by reducing the number of keys users need to secure their lockers, storage sheds and vehicle accessories such as tool boxes, trailer hitches, etc. You can buy this product direct at www.boltlock.com.

STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC

During fiscal year 2009, we formed a new subsidiary with WITTE Automotive called STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC (SPA) to acquire the North American business of the Delphi Power

 

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

 

 

Products Group. WITTE is a 20 percent minority owner. SPA in turn owns a Mexican subsidiary, STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de Mexico. The purpose of this subsidiary is to produce power access devices for sliding side doors, lift gates and trunk lids. STRATTEC POWER ACCESS de Mexico currently operates out of defined space in STRATTEC de Mexico Plant No. 3 located in Juarez, Mexico. Financial results for SPA are consolidated in STRATTEC’s financial statements. For fiscal years ending 2015 and 2014, SPA was profitable and represented $68.1 and $60.1 million, respectively, of our consolidated net sales.

STRATTEC ADVANCED LOGIC LLC (formerly NEXTLOCK LLC)

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we formed a new joint venture with Actuator Systems LLC called NextLock LLC subsequently renamed STRATTEC Advanced Logic. The initial capitalization of the joint venture was $1.5 million. The purpose of this joint venture is to assemble and sell the next generation of biometric security products based upon the residential and commercial designs of Actuator Systems. This joint venture had minimal sales activity in fiscal 2015. During fiscal year 2015, STRATTEC Advanced Logic signed a marketing agreement with Westinghouse Security Products to sell under the Westinghouse brand name (see also www.westinghousesecurity.com). STRATTEC owns 51% of this joint venture and its financial results are accounted for on the equity method of accounting.

 

 

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STRATTEC Advanced Logic Biometric Security Products

SEASONAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS

The manufacturing of components used in automobiles is driven by the normal peaks and valleys associated with the automotive industry. Typically, the months of July and August are relatively slow as summer vacation shutdowns and model year changeovers occur at the automotive assembly plants. September volumes increase rapidly as each new model year begins. This volume strength continues through October and into early November. As the holiday and winter seasons approach, the demand for automobiles slows, as does production. March usually brings a major sales and production increase, which then continues through most of June. This results in our first fiscal quarter sales and operating results typically being our weakest, with the remaining quarters being more consistent.

ECONOMIC VALUE COMMITMENT

The underlying philosophy of our business and the means by which we measure our performance is Economic Value Added (EVA®). Simply stated, economic value is created when our business enterprise yields a return greater than the cost of capital we and our shareholders have invested in STRATTEC. The amount by which our return exceeds the cost of our capital is EVA®. In line with this philosophy, EVA® bonus plans are in effect for all our U.S. associates, outside directors and many of our Mexico-based salaried associates as an incentive to help positively drive the economic value of our business.

STRATTEC’s significant market presence is the result of over a 100-year commitment to creating quality products and systems that are responsive to changing needs. As technologies advance and markets grow, STRATTEC retains that commitment to meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers, and providing economic value to our shareholders.

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

The following Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION’s accompanying Financial Statements and Notes thereto. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to years or quarters refer to fiscal years or fiscal quarters.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Historically, a significant portion of our total net sales are to domestic automotive OEMs (General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler). During the past decade these customers lost North American market share to the New Domestic automotive manufacturers (primarily the Japanese and Korean automotive manufacturers). In addition to our dependence on our customers’ maintaining their market share, our financial performance depends in large part on conditions in the overall automotive industry, which in turn, is dependent upon the U.S. and global economies. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, the above domestic automotive OEMs together represented 65 percent, 70 percent and 66 percent, respectively, of our total net sales.

Our financial results for fiscal year 2015 reflected continued improvement over the prior years. Fiscal 2015 net sales were $411 million compared to $348 million in 2014 and $298 million in 2013. Net income attributable to STRATTEC for fiscal 2015 was $20.7 million compared to $16.4 million in 2014 and $9.4 million in 2013. The financial health of our three largest customers continues to improve. General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler continued to report profitable results after implementing significant restructuring plans that modified their cost structures by closing manufacturing facilities, reducing benefits and wages and eliminating certain models and brands in 2009 and 2010.

As we look out into the future, the July 2015 projections from our third-party forecasting service indicate that North American light vehicle production will show steady improvement for the next five years. By model year, based on these projections we are expecting a 2015 build of 17.2 million vehicles, 17.6 million vehicles for 2016, 18.3 million vehicles for 2017, 18.2 million vehicles for 2018 and 18.7 million vehicles for 2019. As part of this third party projection, General Motors Company is expected to experience flat vehicle production volumes and Ford Motor Company is expected to experience modest increases in their production levels during this time period. Fiat Chrysler, however, is expected to decrease production in model years 2018 and 2019, primarily due to the forecasting uncertainty and risk in Fiat Chrysler’s future vehicle product plans for the Chrysler Group. Of course, all of these forecasts are subject to variability based on what happens in the overall North American and global economies, especially as it relates to the current levels of employment, availability of consumer credit, home equity values, fluctuating fuel prices, changes in customer preferences regarding product quality issues, including related to recall and product warranty coverage issues, and other key factors that we believe could determine whether consumers can or will purchase new vehicles.

Focus and Strategy Going Forward

STRATTEC’s long-term strategy is focused on maximizing long-term shareholder value by driving profitable growth. Our management believes productivity improvements and cost reductions are critical to our competitiveness, while enhancing the value we deliver to our customers. In order to accomplish this, we have been pursuing, and we intend to continue to pursue, the following objectives as summarized below:

 

   

Streamline and standardize processes to increase productivity and improve quality of our products

 

   

Maintain a disciplined and flexible cost structure to leverage scale and optimize asset utilization and procurement

 

   

Maintain our strong financial position by deploying capital spending targeted for growth and productivity improvement

 

   

Leverage the “VAST Brand” with customer relationships to generate organic growth from global programs

 

   

Offer our customers innovative products and cost savings solutions to meet their changing demands

 

   

Explore and execute targeted mergers and acquisitions with a disciplined due diligence approach and critical financial analysis to drive shareholder value

We use several key performance indicators to gauge progress toward achieving these objectives. These indicators include net sales growth, operating margin improvement, return on capital employed and cash flow from operations.

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2015 Compared to 2014

 

      Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Net sales (millions of dollars)

   $ 411.5       $ 348.4   

Net Sales to each of our customers or customer groups in the current year and prior year were as follows (millions of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

   $ 116.9       $ 117.5   

General Motors Company

     105.8         79.5   

Ford Motor Company

     45.5         46.6   

Tier 1 Customers

     71.3         61.6   

Commercial and Other OEM Customers

     41.7         36.0   

Hyundai / Kia

     30.3         7.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 411.5       $ 348.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The increase in sales to General Motors Company in the current year was attributed to incremental service parts sales during the six months ended December 28, 2014 of $34.0 million related to a recall campaign. Incremental service parts sales during our fiscal 2014 fourth quarter totaled $11 million. The incremental sales adjusted to more normal levels during the second half of our fiscal 2015 and are expected to remain at normal levels going forward. Sales to General Motors were also impacted by higher vehicle production volumes and greater product content on vehicle models for which we supply components that were introduced for the 2015 model year and a $3.3 million sales concession we granted to General Motors which negatively impacted 2015 revenues. Decreased sales to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the current year were the result of Fiat Chrysler’s temporary shutdown of its Windsor, Canada assembly plant, which began in February 2015 and ended in May 2015, to re-tool the facility for the production of the new Chrysler minivan. This temporary plant shutdown decreased our net sales to Fiat Chrysler during 2015 by $18 million, which impact was mostly offset by increased sales related to higher customer vehicle production volumes and increased content on models for which we supply components and year-over-year increased service sales to Fiat Chrysler. Decreased sales to Ford Motor Company in the current year were attributed to lower vehicle production volumes on models for which we supply components and in particular for components we supply on the F-150 pick-up trucks, which were partially offset by higher latch product sales to Ford in the current year period and increased content on models for which we supply components. Sales to Tier 1 Customers during the current year increased in comparison to the prior year. These customers primarily represent purchasers of vehicle access control products, such as latches, fobs, and driver controls, that we have developed in recent years to complement our historic core business of locks and keys. The increase in sales to Hyundai / Kia in the current year was due to the ramp-up of the new Kia Sedona minivan for which we supply components.

 

      Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  
Cost of Goods Sold (millions of dollars)    $ 338.8       $ 282.6   

Direct material costs are the most significant component of our cost of goods sold and comprised $217.1 million or 64.1 percent of cost of goods sold in the current year period compared to $184.0 million or 65.1 percent of cost of goods sold in the prior year period. The increase in material costs between fiscal years of $33.1 million or 18.0 percent was due to increased sales volumes in the current year as compared to the prior year as discussed above. The direct material costs were also impacted by higher purchased raw material costs for zinc during 2015 as compared to 2014. We have negotiated raw material price adjustment clauses with certain, but not all, of our customers to offset some of the market price fluctuations in the cost of zinc. During 2015, we used approximately 13.5 million pounds of zinc. Increased zinc costs during 2015, as adjusted for the impact of raw material price adjustments with certain customers, totaled approximately $525,000.

The remaining components of cost of goods sold consist of labor and overhead costs which increased $23.1 million or 23.4 percent in the current year over the prior year as the variable portion of these costs increased due to the increased sales volumes during 2015. In addition, the current year period included a year-over-year increase in customer warranty provisions of $7.8 million for expected warranty payments to be settled in future periods, write-offs related to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

 

 

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(formerly NextLock LLC), our biometric joint venture, of $300,000 and an increase of $1.8 million in current year royalty costs related to sales of aftermarket product. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by benefits of favorable absorption of the fixed portion of our labor and overhead costs resulting from increased sales volumes between periods, a reduction of approximately $4.2 million in the U.S. dollar costs of our Mexican operations due to a favorable Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate, and a reduction of approximately $1.5 million in expense provisions for the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans between periods. The average U.S. dollar/Mexican peso exchange rate increased to approximately 14.34 pesos to the dollar in the current year period from approximately 13.07 pesos to the dollar in the prior year period.

 

      Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014  
Gross Profit (millions of dollars)    $ 72.7      $ 65.8   

Gross Profit as a percentage of net sales

     17.7     18.9

The improvement in gross profit in the current year as compared to the prior year was the result of the increase in sales, partially offset by the increase in cost of goods sold as discussed above. The reduction in gross profit as a percentage of net sales in the current year as compared to the prior year was the result of increased labor and overhead costs resulting from higher customer warranty provisions, write-offs related to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC and increased royalty costs as compared to the prior year, partially offset by increased sales of service parts related to the General Motors’ recall campaign, which typically have higher gross profit margins as compared to gross profit margins on parts sold for new vehicle production, increased customer production volumes resulting in more favorable absorption of our fixed manufacturing costs, a favorable Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate and lower expense provisions for the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans as compared to the prior year, all as discussed above.

Engineering, Selling and Administrative Expenses in the current year and prior year were as follows:

 

      Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014  

Expenses (millions of dollars)

   $ 41.5      $ 39.3   

Expenses as a percentage of net sales

     10.1     11.3

Engineering, selling and administrative expenses increased approximately $2.2 million between periods while decreasing slightly as a percentage of our net sales to 10.1 percent in the current year from 11.3 percent in the prior year. Higher costs in support of our new Auburn Hills, Michigan sales and engineering facility and higher engineering and selling costs associated with current product programs as well as new product programs under development were partially offset by a reduction of $882,000 in expense provisions for the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans in the current year as compared to the prior year.

Income from operations in the current year was $31.1 million compared to $26.5 million in the prior year period. This increase was the result of increased sales, partially offset by reduced gross profit margins during 2015, and an increase in engineering, selling and administrative expenses as discussed above.

The equity (loss) income of joint ventures was comprised of the following in the current year and prior year (thousands of dollars):

 

      Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC

   $ 1,251       $ 1,324   

STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock LLC)

     (2,039      (367
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (788    $ 957   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC is not the primary beneficiary and does not control STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC. Accordingly, our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC is accounted for using the equity method. Notwithstanding the existence of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility described herein, as a result of STRATTEC’s guaranty of such credit facility and as a result of borrowing limitations imposed by the bank under such credit facility, even though we maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, effective with our fiscal 2015 fourth quarter, 100 percent of the funding for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC was being made through loans from STRATTEC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC. Therefore, STRATTEC began recognizing 100 percent of the losses of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, which losses included write-offs of fixed assets and inventory totaling $381,000. In addition, the following losses were included in our 2015 Equity (Loss) Earnings of Joint Ventures for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (thousands of dollars):

 

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Vendor Contract

   $ 123   

Loss on Loan to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ 100   

Loss on Guarantee of STRATEC Advanced Logic, LLC Credit facility

   $ 488   
 

 

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Effective November 1, 2014, a license agreement was signed with Westinghouse allowing STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC to do business as Westinghouse Security. Payments required under this license agreement were guaranteed by STRATTEC. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has recorded a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee of these payments of $250,000, which amount is equal to the future payments required to be made under the license agreement as of June 28, 2015. STRATTEC’s proportionate share of the guarantee of these payments based on our ownership percentage in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC totals $127,000, and accordingly, we have increased our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC as of June 28, 2015 by this amount. Our joint venture partner did not guarantee their proportionate share of the payments required under the license agreement. As a result, STRATTEC recorded a loss of $123,000 which is equal to our partner’s proportionate share, based upon their ownership interest in the joint venture, of the fair value of the STRATTEC guarantee.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, a loan was made from STRATTEC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC in support of operating expenses and working capital needs. As of June 28, 2015, the outstanding loan amount totaled $100,000. A valuation reserve of $100,000 was recorded related to this loan as of June 28, 2015.

STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC has a $1.5 million revolving credit facility with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is fully guaranteed by STRATTEC. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has a recorded a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee of $995,000, which amount is equal to the outstanding borrowings on the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015. STRATTEC’s proportionate share of the guarantee based on our ownership percentage in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC totals $507,000, and accordingly, we have increased our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC as of June 28, 2015 by this amount. Our joint venture partner did not guarantee their proportionate share of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility. As a result, STRATTEC recorded a loss of $488,000 which is equal to our partner’s proportionate share, based upon their ownership interest in the joint venture, of the fair value of the STRATTEC guarantee.

Effective January 6, 2015, we changed the name of NextLock, LLC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC.

Included in other income, net in the current year and prior year were the following items (thousands of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

   $ 3,075       $ (36

Rabbi Trust gain

     96         211   

Other

     310         97   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,481       $ 272   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulted from activity associated with foreign denominated assets held by our Mexican subsidiaries. Our Rabbi Trust assets fund our amended and restated supplemental executive retirement plan. The investments held in the Trust are considered trading securities.

Our effective income tax rate for 2015 was 27.6 percent compared to 31.2 percent in 2014. Our income tax provision for each of 2015 and 2014 was affected by the non-controlling interest portion of our pre-tax income. Our income tax provision for 2015 was also affected by a lower statutory tax rate for income subject to tax in Mexico as compared to the statutory tax rate for income subject to tax in the U.S. Moreover, our income tax provision included a net reduction in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $852,000 in 2015 compared to a reduction of approximately $221,000 in 2014 due to tax years that closed and changes in current and prior year tax positions. The decrease in the effective tax rate between periods was the result of the current year period reduction in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and a reduction in the statutory tax rate for income subject to tax in Mexico.

2014 Compared to 2013

 

     Years Ended  
     June 29, 2014      June 30. 2013  

Net sales (millions of dollars)

   $ 348.4       $ 298.2   

Net Sales to each of our customers or customer groups in 2014 and 2013 were as follows (millions of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

   $ 117.5       $ 95.5   

General Motors Company

     79.5         57.0   

Ford Motor Company

     46.6         44.8   

Tier 1 Customers

     61.6         57.4   

Commercial and Other OEM Customers

     36.0         33.2   

Hyundai / Kia

     7.2         10.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 348.4       $ 298.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

 

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Increased sales to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company in 2014 were due to increased customer vehicle production volumes and increased product content on the models for which we supply components. In addition, sales to General Motors Company increased $11 million in 2014 as compared to 2013 as a result of service part sales related to a recall campaign, which continued into the first half of fiscal 2015 after which service parts sales returned to more normal levels during the second half of fiscal 2015. Increased sales to Tier 1, Commercial and Other OEM customers in 2014 related to market growth and the increasing impact on our sales of other vehicle access control products, such as latches, fobs and driver controls, which we have developed in recent years to complement our historic lock and key access control products. The reduction in sales to Hyundai / Kia in 2014 was due to lower customer vehicle production volumes on models for which we supply components.

 

     Years Ended  
     June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Cost of Goods Sold (millions of dollars)

   $ 282.6       $ 244.3   

Direct material costs are the most significant component of our cost of goods sold and comprised $184.0 million or 65.1 percent of cost of goods sold in 2014 compared to $158.4 million or 64.8 percent of cost of goods sold in 2013. The increase in material costs between fiscal years of $25.6 million or 16.2 percent was due to increased sales volumes in 2014 as compared to 2013 as discussed above. The direct material costs were also impacted by higher purchased raw material costs for zinc during 2014 as compared to 2013. We have negotiated raw material price adjustment clauses with certain, but not all, of our customers to offset some of the market price fluctuations in the cost of zinc. During 2014, we used approximately 12.7 million pounds of zinc. Increased zinc costs during 2014, as adjusted for the impact of raw material price adjustments with certain customers, totaled approximately $970,000.

The remaining components of cost of goods sold consist of labor and overhead costs which increased $12.7 million or 14.8 percent in 2014 over 2013 as the variable portion of these costs increased due to the increased sales volumes during 2014. In addition, 2014 included the benefits of favorable absorption of the fixed portion of our labor and overhead costs resulting from increased sales volumes between periods, a reduction of approximately $800,000 in the U.S. dollar costs of our Mexican operations due to a favorable Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate, and a reduction of approximately $1.5 million in pension expense provisions between periods. These favorable impacts to cost of goods sold were partially offset by an increase in 2014 manufacturing startup costs associated with new product launches, an increase of $1.1 million in 2014 royalty costs, an increase of $1.9 million in expense provisions for the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans, and an increase in warranty costs of $1.6 million. The average U.S. dollar/Mexican peso exchange rate increased to approximately 13.07 pesos to the dollar in 2014 from approximately 12.82 pesos to the dollar in 2013. This resulted in decreased U.S. dollar costs related to our Mexican operations of approximately $800,000 in 2014 compared to 2013. Pension expense provisions impacting our gross profit percentage decreased during 2014 as compared to 2013 due to a significantly improved funded status on our frozen defined benefit pension plan. Increased warranty costs between periods was the result of 2013 net warranty provision credits of $400,000, which reflected the impact of favorable adjustments for warranty claims settled during 2013, and warranty provisions of $1.2 million in 2014 resulting from various customer warranty issues. The amount of the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans which impacted our cost of goods sold increased in 2014 as compared to 2013 based on our increased profitability year over year.

 

     Years Ended  
     June 29, 2014     June 30, 2013  

Gross Profit (millions of dollars)

   $ 65.8      $ 53.9   

Gross Profit as a percentage of net sales

     18.9     18.1

The improvement in gross profit in 2014 as compared to 2013 was the result of the increase in sales, partially offset by the increase in cost of goods sold as discussed above. The improvement in gross profit as a percentage of net sales in 2014 as compared to 2013 was the result of increased sales of service parts related to the General Motors’ customer recall campaign, which typically have higher gross profit margins as compared to gross profit margins on parts sold for new vehicle production, and increased customer production volumes resulting in more favorable absorption of our fixed manufacturing costs. Also contributing to the improvement in our gross profit margins were lower pension expense provisions in 2014 as compared to 2013 and a favorable Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate, partially offset by higher manufacturing startup costs associated with new product program launches, higher expense provisions for the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans and increased

 

 

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royalty costs in 2014 as compared to 2013, all as discussed above.

Engineering, Selling and Administrative Expenses in 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

     Years Ended  
     June 29, 2014     June 30, 2013  

Expenses (millions of dollars)

   $ 39.3      $ 34.9   

Expenses as a percentage of net sales

     11.3     11.7

Engineering, selling and administrative expenses increased approximately $4.4 million between periods while decreasing slightly as a percentage of our net sales to 11.3 percent in 2014 from 11.7 percent in 2013. The increase in costs in 2014 over 2013 was due to higher health care costs, higher expense provisions for the accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans, increased 2014 outside consulting and temporary help costs associated with an upgrade to our existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and higher engineering costs associated with new product programs under development.

During our fiscal 2013 third quarter, SERP benefits of approximately $5.8 million were cash settled using primarily Rabbi Trust assets and current cash balances. We incurred a related settlement charge to operations of approximately $2.1 million pre-tax in our fiscal 2013 third quarter as a result of the requirement to expense a portion of the unrealized actuarial losses due to the settlement of the SERP obligation. This charge had no effect on our aggregate equity balance because the unrealized actuarial losses were already recognized during prior periods in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accordingly, the effect of the settlement charge on our retained earnings was offset by a corresponding reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Income from operations in 2014 was $26.5 million compared to $16.8 million in 2013. This increase was the result of increased sales and improved gross profit margins during 2014, partially offset by an increase in engineering, selling and administrative expenses, all as discussed above. The fiscal 2013 third quarter $2.1 million SERP settlement charge also impacted our 2013 income from operations.

Equity earnings of joint ventures was $957,000 during 2014 compared to equity loss of joint ventures of $225,000 in 2013. During the first half of fiscal year 2013 our joint venture in China incurred relocation costs associated with moves to a new facility and start-up costs associated with a new product line. These costs resulted in STRATTEC incurring an equity loss from joint ventures in 2013. Also included in equity earnings of joint ventures were start-up costs associated with our new joint venture, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC). These start-up costs totaled $367,000 in 2014 and $78,000 in 2013.

Included in other income, net in 2014 and 2013 were the following items (thousands of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  
Foreign currency transaction loss    $ (36    $ (395

Rabbi Trust gain

     211         164   

Unrealized gain on Mexican peso option contracts

     —           395   

Realized loss on Mexican peso option contracts

     —           (12

Other

     97         177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 272       $ 329   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign currency transaction losses resulted from activity associated with foreign denominated assets held by our Mexican subsidiaries. During 2013 we had agreements in place with Bank of Montreal that provided for two weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts to cover a portion of our weekly estimated peso denominated operating costs. In 2013, the Mexican peso appreciated to the U.S. dollar creating unrealized gains on these Mexican peso currency option contracts while realized losses were generated on the weekly commitments due under the contracts. Our objective in entering into these currency option contracts was to minimize our earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. The Mexican peso currency option contracts expired June 28, 2013. No Mexican peso currency contracts were effective during fiscal 2014. Our Rabbi Trust assets fund our amended and restated supplemental executive retirement plan. The investments held in the Trust are considered trading securities.

Our effective income tax rate for 2014 was 31.2 percent compared to 31.8 percent in 2013. Our income tax provision for each of 2014 and 2013 was affected by the non-controlling interest portion of our pre-tax income. Our income tax provision for 2013 was also affected by a lower statutory tax rate for income subject to tax in Mexico as compared to the statutory tax rate for income subject to tax in the U.S. Moreover, our income tax provision for 2014 included a reduction in our liability for

 

 

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unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $221,000 due to changes in tax positions and tax years that closed. The decrease in the effective tax rate between periods was the result of the 2014 reduction in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, partially offset by an increase, effective as of January 1, 2014, in the statutory tax rate for income subject to tax in Mexico.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Outstanding Receivable Balances from Major Customers

Our primary source of cash flow is from our major customers, which include Fiat Chrysler Automobiles LLC, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company. As of the date of filing this Annual Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of our customers are making payments on their outstanding accounts receivable in accordance with the payment terms included on their purchase orders. A summary of our outstanding receivable balances from our major customers as of June 28, 2015 was as follows (millions of dollars):

 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

   $ 17.1   

General Motors Company

   $ 8.8   

Ford Motor Company

   $ 7.3   

Cash Balances in Mexico

We earn a portion of our operating income in Mexico, which is deemed to be permanently reinvested. As of June 28, 2015, $14.8 million of our $25.7 million cash and cash equivalents balance was deemed to be permanently reinvested in Mexico. Cash balances in Mexico will be used for future capital expenditures and future plant expansion in Mexico. We currently do not intend nor foresee a need to repatriate these funds. We expect existing domestic cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to continue to be sufficient to fund our operating activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities, such as regular quarterly dividends and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. Should we require more capital in the U.S. than is generated by our operations domestically, for example to fund significant discretionary activities, such as acquisitions of businesses and share repurchases, we could elect to repatriate future earnings from foreign jurisdictions or raise capital in the U.S. through borrowings under our revolving credit facility. These alternatives could result in higher effective tax rates, increased interest expense, or other dilution of our earnings.

Cash Flow Analysis

 

      Years Ended  
      June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Cash Flows from (millions of dollars):

        

Operating Activities

   $ 31.5       $ 11.5       $ 15.7   

Investing Activities

   $ (30.8    $ (13.0    $ (13.4

Financing Activities

   $ 5.8       $ 1.0       $ 0.7   

Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.5 million during 2015, compared to $11.5 million during 2014. The increase in cash provided by operating activities between years reflected a net reduction in working capital requirements between the two years of $19.8 million, with the reduction being made up of the following working capital changes (millions of dollars):

 

      Increase (Decrease) in Working Capital Requirements  
      2015      2014      Change  

Accounts Receivable

   $ (9.2    $ 21.3       $ (30.5

Inventories

   $ 4.3       $ 6.2       $ (1.9

Customer Tooling

   $ (1.8    $ 3.0       $ (4.8

Other Assets

   $ 3.3       $ 3.5       $ (0.2

Accounts Payable and Other liabilities

   $ 1.4       $ (16.2    $ 17.6   

The year over year change in the accounts receivable balances reflected a reduction in accounts receivable balances during 2015 compared to an increase in accounts receivable balances during 2014. The 2014 account receivable balances increased as a result of $11 million of additional service parts sales in conjunction with General Motors’ recall campaign in 2014 and an overall increase in customer vehicle production volumes on models for which we supply components causing a reduction in 2015 balances and an increase in 2014 balances. The year over year change in the inventory balances was due to higher inventory balances required in June 2014 related to this customer’s recall campaign. The year over year change in customer tooling balances, which consisted of costs incurred for the development of tooling that will be directly reimbursed by the customer whose parts are produced from the tool, was the result of the timing of tooling development spending required to meet customer production requirements and related customer reimbursements. The year over year change in the accounts payable and other liability balances was the result of a reduction in

 

 

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accounts payable balances in 2015 and an increase in accounts payable balances in 2014, which occurred as a result of the timing of purchases and payments with our vendors based on normal payment terms as well as increased accounts payable balances at June 2014 related to the General Motors’ recall campaign.

Other significant cash payments impacting net cash provided by operating activities during both the current year and prior year periods included cash payments under our incentive bonus plans, cash contributions made to our qualified pension plan and cash payments made for Federal, state and foreign income taxes. Cash payments under our incentive bonus plans totaled $7.3 million during 2015 compared to $4.8 million during 2014. Cash contributions made to our qualified pension plan totaled $3.0 million during 2015 compared to $4.0 million during 2014. Cash payments made for Federal, state and foreign income taxes totaled $14.8 million during 2015 compared to $5.4 million during 2014.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.5 million during 2014, compared to $15.7 million during 2013. Although our operating results reflected an overall improvement in 2014 as compared to 2013, net cash provided by operating activities decreased as a result of a net increase in working capital requirements between the two years of $7.1 million, with the increase being made up of the following working capital changes (millions of dollars):

 

     Increase (Decrease) in Working Capital Requirements  
     2014      2013      Change  

Accounts Receivable

   $ 21.3       $ 2.9       $ 18.4   

Inventories

   $ 6.2       $ 3.1       $ 3.1   

Customer Tooling

   $ 3.0       $ (2.2    $ 5.2   

Other Assets

   $ 3.5       $ (0.6    $ 4.1   

Accounts Payable

   $ (10.5    $ (1.4    $ (9.1

Income Taxes Payable

   $ (0.5    $ 2.9       $ (3.4

Other Liabilities

   $ (5.2    $ 6.1       $ (11.3

The year over year change in the accounts receivable balances reflected a significant increase in sales during the quarter ended June 29, 2014 as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2013, which occurred as a result of $11 million of additional service parts sales in conjunction with General Motors’ recall campaign and an overall increase in customer vehicle production volumes on models for which we supply components. The year over year change in the customer tooling asset balances, which consisted of costs incurred for the development of tooling that will be directly reimbursed by the customer whose parts are produced from the tool, was the result of the timing of tooling development spending required to meet customer production requirements and related customer reimbursements. The year over year change in the inventory balances was due to an increase in sales and production activity in 2014 as compared to 2013. The year over year change in the other asset balances was due to the settlement of $5.8 million of SERP benefits in 2013, of which $2.8 million was paid from current cash balances and $3.0 million was paid from other current asset balances. The year over year change in the accounts payable balances was based on the timing of purchases and payments based on normal payment terms with our suppliers. The year over year change in the income tax liability balances was due to the improvement in our overall financial results between periods and 2013 overpayments that were applied to 2014. The year over year change in the other liability balances was the result of the settlement of $5.8 million of SERP benefits in 2013, and an increase in our accrual of bonuses under our incentive bonus plans in 2014 as compared to 2013.

Other significant cash payments impacting net cash provided by operating activities during 2014 and 2013 included cash payments under our incentive bonus plans, cash contributions made to our qualified pension plan and cash payments made for Federal, state and foreign income taxes. Cash payments under our incentive bonus plans totaled $4.8 million during 2014 compared to $5.2 million during 2013. Cash contributions made to our qualified pension plan totaled $4.0 million during 2014 compared to $3.0 million during 2013. Cash payments made for Federal, state and foreign income taxes totaled $5.4 million during 2014 compared to $3.7 million during 2013.

Net cash used by investing activities of $30.8 million during 2015, $13.0 million during 2014 and $13.4 million during 2013 included capital expenditures of $26.1 million, $12.8 million and $12.5 million, respectively. Capital expenditures during each year were made in support of requirements for new product programs and the upgrade and replacement of existing equipment. The 2015 capital expenditures included $2.1 million and $4.5 million for the purchase of additional facilities in Juarez, Mexico and Auburn Hills, Michigan, respectively. The Michigan building is being used as a sales and engineering office and replaced two current leased facilities in Michigan. The Juarez, Mexico building is being used as an additional facility to support current operations and in anticipation of both new and potential business awards in Mexico. The 2013 capital expenditures included expenditures made in support of the expansion of our Juarez, Mexico facility. Net cash used by investing activities during 2015 also included an investment in our VAST LLC joint venture of $4.4 million in support of the acquisition of a fifty percent equity interest in a joint venture entity, Minda VAST Access Systems, based in Pune, India, and in support of general operating expenses for VAST do Brasil. Net cash used by investing activities in 2013 included a $750,000 initial capitalization payment in a newly formed joint venture, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC), and an investment in our VAST LLC joint venture of $200,000 in support of general operating expenses. During 2014, no

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

capital contributions were made to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC or to VAST LLC. Loans were made by each partner, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC to our joint venture, VAST LLC, totaling $215,000 for each partner in 2015 and $285,000 for each partner in 2014. The loans were made in support of VAST LLC’s purchase of the non-controlling interest in VAST do Brasil and in support of funding operating costs of the Brazil entity. A loan totaling $100,000 was made during the fourth quarter of 2015 from STRATTEC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC in support of operating expenses and working capital needs.

Net cash provided by financing activities of $5.8 million during 2015 included $9.0 million of borrowings under credit facilities, $553,000 of proceeds from stock purchases and option plan exercises and $367,000 in excess tax benefits from option plan exercises, partially offset by $1.5 million for repayments of borrowings under credit facilities, $1.7 million for regular quarterly dividend payments to shareholders and $882,000 for dividend payments to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries. Net cash provided by financing activities of $961,000 during 2014 included $1.3 million of borrowings under credit facilities, $2.7 million of proceeds from stock purchases and option plan exercises and $495,000 in excess tax benefits from option plan exercises, mostly offset by $1 million for repayments of borrowings under credit facilities, $1.5 million for regular quarterly dividend payments to shareholders and $984,000 for dividend payments to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries. Net cash provided by financing activities of $660,000 during 2013 included $3.3 million of borrowings under credit facilities, $823,000 of proceeds from stock purchases and option plan exercises and $270,000 in excess tax benefits from option plan exercises, mostly offset by $1.4 million for dividend payments to shareholders, $1.3 million for dividend payments to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries, and $1.0 million for repayments of borrowings under credit facilities. The regular quarterly dividend payments that would normally have been paid during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2013 were declared and paid during the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Our qualified defined benefit pension plan balance, included in other long-term assets in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $7.7 million at June 28,2015 and $8.8 million at June 29, 2014. The change in the other long-term assets balance related to this plan during 2015 was the result of the net impact of pension contributions, the actuarially calculated pension expense, reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss and the impact of the change in the year-end funded status of the plan. The 2015 pre-tax changes in plan assets and benefit obligations related to this plan recognized in other comprehensive income decreased our other long-term asset balance by approximately $3.4 million at June 28, 2015 compared to June 29, 2014. The resulting tax impact decreased our deferred income tax liability balance by $1.2 million at June 28, 2015 in comparison to the balance as of June 29, 2014.

VAST LLC Cash Requirements

During 2015, capital contributions of $4.4 million were made to VAST LLC in support of the acquisition of a fifty percent equity interest in a joint venture entity, Minda VAST Access Systems, based in Pune, India, and in support of general operating expenses for VAST do Brasil. During 2014, no capital contributions were made to VAST LLC. We currently anticipate VAST China and Minda-VAST Access Systems have adequate debt facilities in place over the next fiscal year to cover future operating and capital requirements. VAST do Brasil, due to economic conditions in Brazil, may require additional capital contributions in fiscal 2016 to fund operations.

STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Cash Requirements

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, STRATTEC provided 100 percent of the financial support to fund the start-up operating losses of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC due to our partner’s inability to contribute capital to this joint venture. We anticipate STRATTEC will continue to fund 100 percent of the start-up costs through the first half of fiscal year 2016.

Future Capital Expenditures

We anticipate capital expenditures will be approximately $15 million in fiscal 2016 in support of requirements for new product programs and the upgrade and replacement of existing equipment.

Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back outstanding shares of our common stock. Shares authorized for buy back under the program totaled 3,839,395 at June 28, 2015. A total of 3,655,322 shares have been repurchased over the life of the program through June 28, 2015, at a cost of approximately $136.4 million. No shares were repurchased during fiscal or 2014. Additional repurchases may occur from time to time and are expected to continue to be funded by cash flow from operations and current cash balances. At this time, we anticipate minimal or no stock repurchase activity in fiscal year 2016.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    22


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

Credit Facilities and Guarantees

STRATTEC has a $30 million secured revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC has a $10 million secured revolving credit facility (the “ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A, which is guaranteed by STRATTEC. The credit facilities both expire August 1, 2018. Borrowings under either credit facility are secured by our U.S. cash balances, accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets located in the U.S. Interest on borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility for periods prior to January 22, 2014 was at varying rates based, at our option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.75 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC credit facility and effective on or after January 22, 2014 under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility is at varying rates based, at our option, on LIBOR plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Both credit facilities contain a restrictive financial covenant that requires the applicable borrower to maintain a minimum net worth level. The ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility includes an additional restrictive financial covenant that requires the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. Outstanding borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility totaled $7.0 million at June 28, 2015. There were no borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility during fiscal 2014. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $2.3 million and 1.2 percent, respectively, during the twelve months ended June 28, 2015. Outstanding borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility totaled $3.0 million at June 28, 2015 and $2.5 million at June 29, 2014. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $3.7 million and 1.2 percent, respectively, during 2015. The average outstanding borrowings and weighted average interest rate on the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility loans were approximately $2.6 million and 1.7 percent, respectively, during 2014.

Effective February 16, 2015, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock LLC) entered into a $1.5 million revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is fully guaranteed by STRATTEC. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility is at varying rates based, at STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC’s option, on LIBOR plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. The STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility currently has a maturity date of February 16, 2016. Outstanding borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015 totaled $995,000. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has recorded a liability related to its guarantee of this credit facility of $995,000, which amount is equal to the outstanding borrowings on the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015, and which amount is also equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee of this amount as of the June 28, 2015 balance sheet date.

Effective November 1, 2014, a license agreement was signed with Westinghouse allowing STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC to do business as Westinghouse Security. Payments required under the agreement were guaranteed by STRATTEC. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has a recorded a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee of $250,000, which amount is equal to the future payments required to be made under the agreement as of June 28, 2015.

Inflation and Other Changes in Prices

Over the past several years, we have been impacted by rising health care costs, which have increased our cost of associate medical coverage. A portion of these increases have been offset by plan design changes and associate wellness initiatives. We have also been impacted by increases in the market price of zinc and brass and inflation in Mexico, which impacts the U. S. dollar costs of our Mexican operations. We have negotiated raw material price adjustment clauses with certain, but not all, of our customers to offset some of the market price fluctuations in the cost of zinc. During fiscal 2013, we had agreements with Bank of Montreal that provided for two weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts to cover a portion of our weekly estimated peso denominated operating costs. The contracts with Bank of Montreal expired on June 28, 2013. The two weekly option contracts were for equivalent notional amounts. The contracts provided for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 12.40 if the spot rate at the weekly expiry date was below an average of 12.40 or for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 13.40 if the spot rate at the weekly expiry date was above an average of 13.40. Our objective in entering into these currency option contracts was to minimize our earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. The Mexican peso option contracts were not used for speculative purposes and were not designated as hedges. As a result, all currency option contracts were recognized in our accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value and changes in the fair value of the currency option contracts were reported in current earnings as part of Other Income, net. The premiums paid and received under the weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts netted to zero. As a result, premiums related to the contracts did not impact our earnings. No Mexican peso currency option contracts were in effect during fiscal 2015 or 2014 and none were outstanding as of June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 or June 30, 2013.

 

 

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The pre-tax effects of the Mexican peso option contracts on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

     Other Income, net  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:         

Realized gain

   $ —         $ —         $ 27   

Realized (loss)

   $ —         $ —         $ (39

Unrealized gain

   $ —         $ —         $ 395   

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

Contractual obligations are as follows as of June 28, 2015 (thousands of dollars):

 

     Payments Due By Period  

Contractual Obligation

   Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 

Operating Leases

   $ 845       $ 305       $ 247       $ 210       $ 83   

Other Purchase Obligations

     39,616         12,987         11,335         10,503         4,791   

Guarantees

     1,245         995         250         —           —     
Pension and Postretirement Obligations(a)      3.522         3.522         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total    $ 45,228       $ 17,809       $ 11,832       $ 10,713       $ 4,874   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

As disclosed in our Notes to Financial Statements, estimated cash funding related to our pension and postretirement benefit plans is expected to total $3.5 million in 2016. Because the timing of funding related to these plans beyond 2016 is uncertain, and is dependent on future movements in interest rates and investment returns, changes in laws and regulations, and other variables, pension and postretirement outflows beyond 2016 have not been included in the table above.

Refer to the discussion of Commitments and Contingencies included in Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report for further information related to purchase obligations.

Liabilities recognized for uncertain tax benefits of $460,000 are not presented in the table above due to uncertainty as to amounts and timing regarding future payments.

STRATTEC has a $30 million secured revolving credit facility with BMO Harris Bank N. A. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC has a $10 million secured revolving credit facility with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is guaranteed by STRATTEC. Borrowings under the STRATTEC credit facility totaled $7.0 million at June 28, 2015. Borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC credit facility totaled $3.0 million at June 28, 2015. STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC has a $1.5 million revolving credit facility with BMO Harris Bank N. A., which is fully guaranteed by STRATTEC. Borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic credit facility totaled $995,000 at June 28, 2015, which amount is included in the table above under Guarantees.

JOINT VENTURES AND MAJORITY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

We participate in certain Alliance Agreements with WITTE Automotive (“WITTE”) and ADAC Automotive (“ADAC”). WITTE, of Velbert, Germany, is a privately held automotive supplier. WITTE designs, manufactures and markets automotive components, including locks and keys, hood latches, rear compartment latches, seat back latches, door handles and specialty fasteners. WITTE’s primary market for these products has been Europe. ADAC, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a privately held automotive supplier and manufactures engineered products, including door handles and other automotive trim parts, utilizing plastic injection molding, automated painting and various assembly processes.

The Alliance Agreements include a set of cross-licensing agreements for the manufacture, distribution and sale of WITTE products by STRATTEC and ADAC in North America, and the manufacture, distribution and sale of STRATTEC and ADAC products by WITTE in Europe. Additionally, a joint venture company, Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (“VAST LLC”), in which WITTE, STRATTEC and ADAC each hold a one-third interest, exists to seek opportunities to manufacture and sell each company’s products in areas of the world outside of North America and Europe.

VAST do Brasil services customers in South America. Effective March 21, 2014, VAST LLC purchased the remaining non-controlling interest in VAST do Brasil. VAST Fuzhou, VAST Great Shanghai and VAST Shanghai Co. (collectively known as VAST China), provide a base of operations to service our automotive customers in the Asian market. VAST LLC also maintains branch offices in South Korea and Japan in support of customer sales and engineering requirements.

Effective April 30, 2015, VAST LLC executed an agreement to become a 50:50 Joint Venture

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

partner with Minda Management Services Limited an affiliate of both Minda Corporation Limited and Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group of New Delhi, India (collectively “Minda”). VAST acquired a fifty percent equity interest in the former Minda-Valeo Security Systems joint venture entity, based in Pune, India, for approximately $12 million. This joint venture entity was renamed Minda-VAST Access Systems (“Minda-VAST”). The portion of the purchase price paid by each VAST LLC partner, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC, totaled $4 million. Minda-VAST will have operations in Pune and Delhi and is expected to have annual sales in excess of approximately $40 million. Minda and its affiliates cater to the needs of all major car, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, tractor and off-road vehicle manufacturers in India. They are a leading manufacturer in the Indian marketplace of security & access products, handles, automotive safety, restraint systems, driver information and telematics systems for both OEMs and the aftermarket.

The VAST LLC investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The activities related to the VAST LLC joint ventures resulted in equity earnings of joint ventures to STRATTEC of approximately $1.3 million during 2015 and $1.3 million during 2014 and an equity loss to joint ventures of approximately $147,000 during 2013. Relocation costs associated with a move to a new facility and start-up costs associated with a new product line negatively impacted the financial results of VAST China during the first half of fiscal 2013, which resulted in STRATTEC incurring an equity loss from joint ventures in 2013. During 2015, cash capital contributions totaling $13.2 million were made to VAST LLC in support of the acquisition of the 50 percent joint venture interest in Minda-VAST and in support of general operating expenses for VAST do Brasil. STRATTEC’s portion of the cash capital contributions totaled $4.4 million. No cash capital contributions were made to VAST LLC during 2014. During 2013, cash capital contributions totaling $600,000 were made to VAST LLC in support of general operating expenses. STRATTEC’s portion of the cash capital contributions totaled $200,000. Loans were made by each partner, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC, to VAST LLC totaling $215,000 for each partner in 2015 and $285,000 for each partner in 2014. The loans were made in support of VAST LLC’s purchase of the non-controlling interest in VAST do Brasil and in support of funding operating costs of the Brazilian entity.

In fiscal year 2007, we established a new entity with ADAC forming ADAC-STRATTEC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The new entity was created to establish injection molding and door handle assembly operations in Mexico. STRATTEC holds a 51 percent interest in ADAC-STRATTEC LLC. A Mexican entity, ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico, exists and is wholly owned by ADAC-STRATTEC LLC. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC’s financial results are consolidated with the financial results of STRATTEC and resulted in increased net income to STRATTEC of approximately $2.6 million in 2015, $1.4 million in 2014 and $1.1 million in 2013.

Effective November 30, 2008, we established a new entity with WITTE forming STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC (“SPA”), which is 80 percent owned by STRATTEC. SPA supplies the North American portion of the power sliding door, lift gate and deck lid system access control products which were acquired from Delphi Corporation. The financial results of SPA are consolidated with the financial results of STRATTEC and resulted in reduced net income to STRATTEC of approximately $269,000 in 2015, and increased income to STRATTEC of approximately $1.5 million in 2014 and $1.0 million in 2013.

On April 5, 2013, we acquired a 51 percent ownership interest in a newly formed joint venture, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC), which was formed to introduce a new generation of biometric security products based upon the designs of Actuator Systems LLC, our partner and the owner of the remaining ownership interest. The initial capitalization of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC joint venture totaled $1.5 million. STRATTEC’s portion of the initial capitalization totaled $765,000. Our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, for which we exercise significant influence but do not control and are not the primary beneficiary, is accounted for using the equity method. The activities related to the STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC joint venture resulted in an equity loss of joint ventures to STRATTEC of approximately $2.0 million in 2015, $367,000 in 2014 and $78,000 in 2013. Notwithstanding the existence of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility described herein, as a result of STRATTEC’s guaranty of such credit facility and as a result of borrowing limitations imposed by the bank under such credit facility, even though we maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, effective with our fiscal 2015 fourth quarter, 100 percent of the funding for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC was being made by STRATTEC through loans. Therefore, STRATTEC began recognizing 100 percent of the losses of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC through Equity Loss (Earnings) of Joint Ventures in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. In addition, the following losses were included in our 2015 Equity (Loss) Earnings of Joint Ventures for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (thousands of dollars):

 

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Vendor Contract

   $ 123   

Loss on Loan to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ 100   

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Credit facility

   $ 488   
 

 

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See further discussion under Equity (Loss) Earnings of Joint Ventures included in Notes to Financial Statements herein.

OTHER MATTERS

The Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), which was enacted in 2010 and is being phased in over several years, significantly affects the provision of both health care services and benefits in the United States. The ACA may impact our cost of providing our U.S. employees and retirees with health insurance and/or benefits, and may also impact various other aspects of our business. The ACA did not have a material impact on our fiscal 2015, 2014 or 2013 financial results. However, we are continuing to assess the impact of the ACA on our health care benefit costs.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We believe the following represents our critical accounting policies:

Pension and Postretirement Health BenefitsPension and postretirement health obligations and costs are developed from actuarial valuations. The determination of the obligation and expense for pension and postretirement health benefits is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Those assumptions are described in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements and include, among others, the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, retirement age, and rates of increase in compensation and health care costs. We evaluate and update all of the assumptions annually on June 30, the measurement date. Refer to the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements for the impact of the pension and postretirement plans on our financial statements.

We determine the discount rate used to measure plan liabilities using prevailing market rates of a large population of high-quality, non-callable, corporate bonds currently available that, if the obligation was settled at the measurement date, would provide the necessary future cash flows to pay the benefit obligation when due. Using this methodology, we determined a discount rate of 4.53 percent to be appropriate as of June 30, 2015, which is an increase of 0.14 percentage points from the rate of 4.39 percent used at June 30, 2014. The impact of this change decreased our year-end 2015 projected pension benefit obligations by approximately $1.7 million, the year-end 2015 accumulated pension benefit obligations by approximately $1.7 million and the year-end 2015 accumulated postretirement obligation by approximately $11,000. This change is also expected to decrease our 2016 pension expense by $160,000 and increase our postretirement expense by $1,000. Our pension expense increases as the discount rate decreases. Lowering our 2015 discount rate assumption by 50 basis points would have increased our 2015 pension expense by approximately $570,000.

A significant element in determining our pension expense is the expected return on plan assets. Our assumption for the expected return on plan assets is based on historical results for similar allocations among asset classes and was 7.5 percent for each of 2013 and 2014 and 6.5 percent for 2015. This assumption was lowered to 5.45 percent for 2016. The changes to this assumption reduced the expected return on plan assets by approximately $245,000 in 2013, $950,000 in 2014 and $1,050,000 in 2015. Refer to the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements for additional information on how this rate was determined. Pension expense increases as the expected rate of return on plan assets decreases. Lowering the 2015 expected rate of return assumption for our plan assets by 50 basis points would have increased our 2015 pension expense by approximately $500,000.

The difference between the expected return and actual return on plan assets is deferred and, under certain circumstances, amortized over future years of service. Therefore, the deferral of past asset gains and losses ultimately affects future pension expense. This is also the case with changes to actuarial assumptions, including discount rate assumptions, pay rate assumptions, mortality assumptions, turnover assumptions and other demographic assumptions. As of June 30, 2015, we had $27 million of net unrecognized pension actuarial losses, which included deferred asset gains of $2 million and unrecognized postretirement actuarial losses of $5 million. These amounts represent potential future pension and postretirement expenses that would be amortized over average future service periods. The average remaining service period is about 8 years for the pension and postretirement plans.

As of June 30, 2015, we converted to the RP-2014 Blue Collared Mortality Table with Improvement Scale MP-2014 for calculating the year-end 2015 pension and postretirement obligations. The impact of this change increased our year-end 2015 projected pension benefit obligations by approximately $4.2 million and did not have a material effect on the year-end 2015 accumulated postretirement obligation. This change is also expected to increase our 2016 pension expense by $715,000 and is not expected to have a material effect on our 2016 postretirement expense.

During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, we contributed $3 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively, to our qualified pension plan. As discussed in the accompanying Notes to

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

Financial Statements, on April 2, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to terminate the qualified pension plan. We intend to make future contributions for the qualified pension plan to ensure that there are sufficient assets to provide all Qualified Pension Plan benefits as of the anticipated distribution date. The amount of future contributions has not yet been determined. We have evaluated the potential impact of the Pension Protection Act including provisions of MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act) (collectively, the “Acts”), which was passed into law on August 17, 2006 and July 6, 2012, respectively, on our future pension plan funding requirements based on current market conditions. The Acts have not had and are not anticipated to have in future periods a material effect on our level of future funding requirements or on our liquidity and capital resources.

As discussed in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements, our Board of Directors adopted amendments to the SERP Plan on October 8, 2013 that were effective as of December 31, 2013 to simplify the SERP Plan benefit calculation. The impact of this change had an immaterial effect on our year-end 2014 projected benefit obligation and decreased our 2015 pension expense by $155,000.

A significant element in determining the postretirement health expense is the health care cost trend rates. We develop these rates based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Changes in the health care cost trend rate assumption will have a significant effect on the postretirement benefit amounts reported. As of January 1,2014, we updated the health care cost trend assumption. The impact of this update increased our 2015 postretirement health expense by approximately $4,000. Refer to the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements for an analysis of the impact of a one percent change in the trend rate.

While we believe that the assumptions used to determine our pension and postretirement health obligations and expenses are appropriate, significant differences in the actual experience or significant changes in the assumptions may materially affect the amounts of these obligations and our related future expense for these obligations.

Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions—We are subject to income taxation in many jurisdictions around the world. Significant management judgment is required in the accounting for income tax contingencies because the outcomes are often difficult to determine. We are required to measure and recognize uncertain tax positions that we have taken or expect to take in our income tax returns. The benefit of an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements if management concludes that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained with the tax authorities. For a position that is likely to be sustained, the benefit recognized in the financial statements is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. A reserve is established for the difference between a position taken in an income tax return and the amount recognized in the financial statements. Refer to the discussion of Income Taxes included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

Other Reserves—We have reserves such as an environmental reserve, a warranty reserve, an incurred but not reported claim reserve for self-insured health plans, an allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable, an excess and obsolete inventory reserve and a repair and maintenance supply parts reserve. These reserves require the use of estimates and judgment with regard to risk exposure, ultimate liability and net realizable value.

Environmental Reserve—We have a liability recorded related to the estimated costs to remediate a site at our Milwaukee facility, which was contaminated by a solvent spill from a former above ground solvent storage tank occurring in 1985. The recorded environmental liability balance involves judgment and estimates. Our reserve estimate is based on a third party assessment of the costs to adequately cover the cost of active remediation of the contamination at this site. Actual costs might vary from this estimate for a variety of reasons including changes in laws and changes in the assessment of the level of remediation actually required at this site. Therefore, future changes in laws or the assessment of the level of remediation required could result in changes in our estimate of the required liability. Refer to the discussion of Commitments and Contingencies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

Warranty Reserve—We have a warranty liability recorded related to our exposure to warranty claims in the event our products fail to perform as expected, and we may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by our customers for such products. The recorded warranty liability balance involves judgment and estimates. Our liability estimate is based on an analysis of historical warranty data as well as current trends and information, including our customers’ recent extension or expansion of their warranty programs. Actual warranty costs might differ from estimates due to the level of actual claims varying from our claims experience and estimates and final negotiations and settlements reached with our customers. Therefore, future actual claims experience could result in changes in our estimates of the required liability. Refer to the discussion of Warranty Reserve under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

Incurred But Not Reported Claim Reserve for Self-Insured Health Plans—We have self-insured medical and dental plans covering all eligible U.S. associates. The expected ultimate cost of claims incurred under these plans is subject to judgment and estimation. We estimate the ultimate expected cost of claims incurred under these plans based upon the aggregate liability for reported claims and an

 

 

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estimated additional liability for claims incurred but not reported. Our estimate of claims incurred but not reported is based on an analysis of historical data, current trends related to claims and health care costs and information available from our third-party administrator. Actual ultimate costs may vary from estimates due to variations in actual claims experience from past trends and large unexpected claims being filed. Therefore, changes in claims experience and large unexpected claims could result in changes to our estimate of the claims incurred but not reported liabilities. Refer to the discussion of Self Insurance Plans under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Related to Trade Accounts Receivable—Our trade accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables due from Original Equipment Manufacturers in the automotive industry and locksmith distributors relating to our service and aftermarket business. Our evaluation of the collectability of our trade accounts receivable involves judgment and estimates and includes a review of past due items, general economic conditions and the economic climate of the automotive industry as a whole. The estimate of the required reserve involves uncertainty as to future collectability of receivable balances. Refer to the discussion of Receivables under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

Excess and Obsolete Inventory Reserve—We record a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based on historical and estimated future demand and market conditions. The reserve level is determined by comparing inventory levels of individual materials and parts to historical usage and estimated future sales by analyzing the age of the inventory in order to identify specific material and parts that are unlikely to be sold. Technical obsolescence and other known factors are also considered in evaluating the reserve level. Actual future write-offs of inventory may differ from estimates and calculations used to determine reserve levels due to changes in customer demand, changes in technology and other factors. Refer to the discussion of Inventories under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

Repair and Maintenance Supply Parts Reserve—We maintain an inventory of repair and maintenance parts in support of operations. This inventory includes critical repair parts for all production equipment as well as general maintenance items. The inventory of critical repair parts is required to avoid disruptions in our customers’ just-in-time production schedules due to lack of spare parts when equipment break-downs occur. Depending on maintenance requirements during the life of the equipment, excess quantities of repair parts arise. A repair and maintenance supply parts reserve is maintained to recognize the normal adjustment of inventory for obsolete and slow-moving repair and maintenance supply parts. Our evaluation of the reserve level involves judgment and estimates, which are based on a review of historical obsolescence and current inventory levels. Actual obsolescence may differ from estimates due to actual maintenance requirements differing from historical levels. This could result in changes to our estimated required reserve. Refer to the discussion of Repair and Maintenance Supply Parts under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Notes to Financial Statements included within this 2015 Annual Report.

We believe the reserves discussed above are estimated using consistent and appropriate methods. However, changes to the assumptions could materially affect the recorded reserves.

Stock-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating future volatility of our stock, the amount of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited and the expected term of awards granted. We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. We amortize the fair value of all awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods. The expected term of awards granted represents the period of time they are expected to be outstanding. We determine the expected term based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules. We estimate the expected volatility of our common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of our common stock. The volatility factor used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model is based on our historical stock prices over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected term of the award. We base the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term commensurate with the expected term of the award. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures. We record stock-based compensation only for those awards that are expected to vest. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In August 2014, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to

 

 

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continue as a going concern. This accounting update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance for the recognition of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The update supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance and outlines a single comprehensive model for revenue recognition based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received in the exchange of goods and services. The guidance update also required additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The guidance update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and becomes effective for us at the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. We are currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance that amends current consolidation guidance by modifying the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

RISK FACTORS

We recognize we are subject to the following risk factors based on our operations and the nature of the automotive industry in which we operate:

Loss of Significant Customers, Vehicle Content, Vehicle Models and Market Share—Sales to General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles represented approximately 65 percent of our annual net sales (based on fiscal 2015 results) and, accordingly, these customers account for a significant percentage of our outstanding accounts receivable. The contracts with these customers provide for supplying the customer’s requirements for a particular model. The contracts do not specify a specific quantity of parts. The contracts typically cover the life of a model, which averages approximately four to five years. Components for certain customer models may also be “market tested” annually. Therefore, the loss of any one of these customers, the loss of a contract for a specific vehicle model, a reduction in vehicle content, the early cancellation of a specific vehicle model, technological changes or a significant reduction in demand for certain key models could occur, and if so, could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues and net income.

Our major customers also have significant under-funded legacy liabilities related to pension and postretirement health care obligations. The loss in our major customers’ North American automotive market share to the New Domestic automotive manufacturers (primarily the Japanese and Korean automotive manufacturers) and/or a significant decline in the overall market demand for new vehicles may ultimately result in severe financial difficulty for these customers, including bankruptcy. If our major customers cannot fund their operations, we may incur significant write-offs of accounts receivable, incur impairment charges or require restructuring actions.

Production Slowdowns by Customers—Our major customers and many of their suppliers were significantly impacted by the recession of 2008/2009. Many of our major customers instituted production cuts during our fiscal 2009 and 2010. While production subsequently increased after the cuts made in 2009, additional economic slowdowns could bring about new production cuts which could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues and net income.

Financial Distress of Automotive Supply Base—During calendar years 2009 and 2010, deteriorating automotive industry conditions adversely affected STRATTEC and our supply base. Lower production levels at our major customers, volatility in certain raw material and energy costs and the global credit market crisis resulted in severe financial distress among many companies within the automotive supply base. During the above time frame, several automotive suppliers filed for bankruptcy protection or ceased operations. The potential continuation or renewal of financial distress within the supply base and suppliers’ inability to obtain credit from lending institutions could lead to commercial disputes and possible supply chain interruptions. In addition, the potential for future and/or continued adverse industry conditions may require us to provide financial assistance or other measures to ensure uninterrupted production. The continuation or renewal of these industry conditions could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future revenues and net income.

Shortage of Raw Materials or Components Supply—In the event of catastrophic acts of nature such as fires, tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes or a rapid increase in production demands, either we or our customers or other suppliers may experience supply shortages of raw materials or components. This could be caused by a number of factors,

 

 

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including a lack of production line capacity or manpower or working capital constraints. In order to manage and reduce the costs of purchased goods and services, we and others within our industry have been rationalizing and consolidating our supply base. As a result, there is greater dependence on fewer sources of supply for certain components and materials used in our products, which could increase the possibility of a supply shortage of any particular component. If any of our customers experience a material supply shortage, either directly or as a result of supply shortages at another supplier, that customer may halt or limit the purchase of our products. Similarly, if we or one of our own suppliers experience a supply shortage, we may become unable to produce the affected products if we cannot procure the components from another source. Such production interruptions could impede a ramp-up in vehicle production and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We consider the production capacities and financial condition of suppliers in our selection process, and expect that they will meet our delivery requirements. However, there can be no assurance that strong demand, capacity limitations, shortages of raw materials, labor disputes or other problems will not result in any shortages or delays in the supply of components to us.

Cost Reduction—There is continuing pressure from our major customers to reduce the prices we charge for our products. This requires us to generate cost reductions, including reductions in the cost of components purchased from outside suppliers. If we are unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future to offset pre-programmed price reductions, our gross margin and profitability will be adversely affected.

Cyclicality and Seasonality in the Automotive Market—The automotive market is cyclical and is dependent on consumer spending, on the availability of consumer credit and to a certain extent, on customer sales incentives. Economic factors adversely affecting consumer demand for automobiles and automotive production, such as rising fuel costs, could adversely impact our net sales and net income. We typically experience decreased sales and operating income during the first fiscal quarter of each year due to the impact of scheduled customer plant shut-downs in July and new model changeovers during that period.

Foreign Operations—We own and operate manufacturing operations in Mexico. As discussed above under “Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries”, we also have joint venture and majority owned investments in Mexico, Brazil, China and India. As these operations continue to expand, their success will depend, in part, on our and our partners’ ability to anticipate and effectively manage certain risks inherent in international operations, including: enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems, payment cycles of foreign customers, compliance with foreign tax laws, general economic and political conditions in these countries and compliance with foreign laws and regulations. The success of these joint venture operations may be impacted by our partners’ ability to influence business decisions and therefore the operating results of the joint ventures could be adversely impacted. These influences, as well as conflicts or disagreements with our joint venture partners, could negatively impact the operations and financial results of our joint venture investments, which could have an adverse impact on our financial results. In addition, failure of our partners to be able to continue to fund their portion of the joint venture operations could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and financial results of our joint venture investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. The joint venture investments in China generated losses in 2012 and 2013 due to relocation costs associated with moves to a new facility and start-up costs associated with a new product line. These relocation costs and start-up costs have been financed internally and externally by VAST China. The impact of any future planned capital expenditures or future expansion by VAST LLC in China, Brazil and India, may result in the need for additional future capital contributions to fund the operations of these joint venture investments.

Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations—Our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. We have manufacturing operations in Mexico, and as a result, a portion of our manufacturing costs are incurred in Mexican pesos. Therefore, fluctuations in the U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate may have a material effect on our profitability, cash flows, financial position, and may significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods. Any depreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of the Mexican peso will adversely affect the cost of our Mexican operations when translated into U.S. dollars. Similarly, any appreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of the Mexican peso will decrease the cost of our Mexican operations when translated into U.S. dollars.

Sources of and Fluctuations in Market Prices of Raw Materials—Our primary raw materials are high-grade zinc, brass, nickel silver, aluminum, steel and plastic resins. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but we have chosen to concentrate our sourcing with one primary vendor for each commodity or purchased component. We believe our sources of raw materials are reliable and adequate for our needs. However, the development of future sourcing issues related to using existing or alternative raw materials and the global availability of these materials as well as significant fluctuations in the market prices of these materials may have an adverse effect on our financial results if the increased raw material costs cannot be recovered from our customers.

Given the significant financial impact on us relating to changes in the cost of our primary raw materials, commencing with fiscal 2008 and thereafter, we began quoting quarterly material price

 

 

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adjustments for changes in our zinc costs in our negotiations with our customers. Our success in obtaining these quarterly price adjustments in our customer contracts is dependent on separate negotiations with each customer. It is not a standard practice for our customers to include such price adjustments in their contracts. We have been successful in obtaining quarterly price adjustments in some of our customer contracts. However, we have not been successful in obtaining the adjustments with all of our customers.

Disruptions Due to Work Stoppages and Other Labor Matters—Our major customers and many of their suppliers have unionized work forces. Work stoppages or slow-downs experienced by our customers or their suppliers could result in slow-downs or closures of assembly plants where our products are included in assembled vehicles. For example, strikes by a critical supplier called by the United Auto Workers led to extended shut-downs of most of General Motors’ North American assembly plants in February 2008 and in 1998. A material work stoppage experienced by one or more of our customers could have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results. In addition, all production associates at our Milwaukee facility are unionized. A sixteen-day strike by these associates in June 2001 resulted in increased costs as all salaried associates worked with additional outside resources to produce the components necessary to meet customer requirements. The current contract with the unionized associates is effective through September 17, 2018. We may encounter further labor disruption and we may also encounter unionization efforts in our other plants or other types of labor conflicts, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results. Labor contracts between General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and their unionized associates under the United Auto Workers expire in September and October 2015. In addition, their respective labor agreements with the Canadian auto workers union expire in September 2016. Labor disruptions encountered by our customers during the contract period could have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results.

Compliance Related to Regulations Related to Conflict Minerals—We are required to disclose the use of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (collectively, “conflict minerals”) mined from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries (the “covered countries”) if a conflict mineral(s) is necessary to the functionality of a product manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, by us. We may determine, as part of our compliance efforts, that certain products or components we obtain from our suppliers could contain conflict minerals. If we are unable to conclude that all our products are free from conflict minerals originating from covered countries, this could have a negative reputation on our business, reputation and/or results of operations. We may also encounter challenges to satisfy customers who require that our products be certified as conflict free, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage if we are unable to substantiate such a claim. Compliance with these rules could also affect the sourcing and availability of some of the minerals used in the manufacture of products or components we obtain from our suppliers, including our ability to obtain products or components in sufficient quantities and/or at competitive prices to sell to our customers.

Environmental, Safety and Other Regulations—We are subject to Federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements related to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of our manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include, among others, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended). We have an environmental management system that is ISO-14001 certified. We believe that our existing environmental management system is adequate for current and anticipated operations and we have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in the environmental area. An environmental reserve was established in 1995 for estimated costs to remediate a site at our Milwaukee facility. The site was contaminated from a former above-ground solvent storage tank, located on the east side of the facility. The contamination occurred in 1985 and is being monitored in accordance with Federal, state and local requirements. We do not currently anticipate any material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or competitive position as a result of compliance with Federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws or other related legal requirements. However, risk of environmental liability and changes associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of our business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or changes could not arise.

Highly Competitive Automotive Supply Industry—The automotive component supply industry is highly competitive. Some of our competitors are companies, or divisions or subsidiaries of companies, that are larger than STRATTEC and have greater financial and technology capabilities. Our products may not be able to compete successfully with the products of these other companies, which could result in loss of customers and, as a result, decreased sales and profitability. Some of our major customers have previously announced that they will be reducing their supply base. This could potentially result in the loss of these customers and consolidation within the supply base. The loss of any of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our existing and future net sales and net income.

 

 

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In addition, our competitive position in the North American automotive component supply industry could be adversely affected in the event that we are unsuccessful in making strategic investments, acquisitions or alliances or in establishing joint ventures that would enable us to expand globally. We principally compete for new business at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models by our major customers. New model development generally begins two to five years prior to the marketing of such new models to the public. The failure to obtain new business on new models or to retain or increase business on redesigned existing models could adversely affect our business and financial results. In addition, as a result of relatively long lead times for many of our components, it may be difficult in the short-term for us to obtain new sales to replace any unexpected decline in the sale of existing products. Finally, we may incur significant product development expense in preparing to meet anticipated customer requirements which may not be recovered.

Program Volume and Pricing Fluctuations—We incur costs and make capital expenditures for new program awards based upon certain estimates of production volumes over the anticipated program life for certain vehicles. While we attempt to establish the price of our products for variances in production volumes, if the actual production of certain vehicle models is significantly less than planned, our net sales and net income may be adversely affected. We cannot predict our customers’ demands for the products we supply either in the aggregate or for particular reporting periods.

Investments in Customer Program Specific Assets—We make investments in machinery and equipment used exclusively to manufacture products for specific customer programs. This machinery and equipment is capitalized and depreciated over the expected useful life of each respective asset. Therefore, the loss of any one of our major customers, the loss of specific vehicle models or the early cancellation of a vehicle model could result in impairment in the value of these assets which may have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Joint Venture—As discussed under Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries herein, we maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in a joint venture, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC), which was formed to introduce a new generation of biometric security products based upon the designs of Actuator Systems LLC, our partner and the owner of the remaining ownership interest. The success of this joint venture operation may be impacted by the failure of our partner to be able to continue to fund their portion of the joint venture operations, which could have an adverse impact on our financial results. Furthermore, conflicts or disagreements with our joint venture partner, could negatively impact the operations and financial results of our joint venture investment, which could have an adverse impact on our financial results. The biometric security business is highly competitive. Some of the companies in the biometric security business are significantly larger than STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC and have greater financial and technology capabilities. Our products may not be able to compete successfully both on price and technology features within our markets.

Warranty Claims—We are exposed to warranty claims in the event that our products fail to perform as expected, and we may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by our customers for such products. Our largest customers have recently extended and/or expanded their warranty protection for their vehicles. Other automotive OEMs have similarly extended and/or expanded their warranty programs. We are engaged in ongoing discussions with our customers regarding warranty information and potential claims. The results of these discussions could result in additional warranty charges / claims in future periods. Depending on the nature of and the volume of vehicles involved in the potential warranty claims, these charges could be material to our financial statements. The extended and/or expanded warranty trend may also result in higher cost recovery claims by OEMs from suppliers whose products incur a higher rate of warranty claims above an OEM derived nominal level. Prior to fiscal 2010, we had experienced relatively low warranty charges from our customers due to our commercial arrangements and improvements in the quality, reliability and durability of our products. Due to our largest customers’ extension and/or expansion of their warranty protection programs and demands for higher warranty cost sharing arrangements from their suppliers in their terms and conditions of purchase, including STRATTEC, we increased our provision to cover warranty exposures during fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Moreover, in 2011 and 2012, our increased warranty provision was the result of our share of the cost associated with a specific warranty claim involving a product we supplied to one of our largest customers. In 2015, our increased warranty provision was the result of various known or expected customer warranty issues outstanding and estimated future warranty costs to be incurred as of June 2015 for which amounts were reasonably estimable. As additional information becomes available, actual results may differ from recorded estimates. If our customers demand higher warranty-related cost recoveries, or if our products fail to perform as expected, it could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Cyber Vulnerability—Cyber attacks or security breaches could compromise confidential, business critical information, cause a disruption in our operations or harm our reputation. While we have a cyber security monitoring program, a significant cyber attack could result in loss of critical business information and/or could negatively impact our operations, any of which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014     June 30, 2013  

NET SALES

   $ 411,475      $ 348,419      $ 298,179   

Cost of goods sold

     338,815        282,621        244,313   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

     72,660        65,798        53,866   

Engineering, selling, and administrative expenses

     41,534        39,274        34,934   

Loss on settlement of pension obligation

     —          —          2,144   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     31,126        26,524        16,788   

Interest income

     185        106        21   

Equity (loss) income of joint ventures

     (788     957        (225

Interest expense

     (71     (45     (34

Other income, net

     3,481        272        329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES AND NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

     33,933        27,814        16,879   

Provision for income taxes

     9,382        8,674        5,366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

     24,551        19,140        11,513   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

     3,897        2,716        2,138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

   $ 20,654      $ 16,424      $ 9,375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

      

NET INCOME

   $ 24,551      $ 19,140      $ 11,513   

Currency translation adjustments

     (5,133     (140     736   

Pension and postretirement plan funded status adjustment, net of tax

     (1,851     2,157        12,818   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

     (6,984     2,017        13,554   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     17,567        21,157        25,067   

Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest

     3,574        2,719        2,147   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

   $ 13,993      $ 18,438      $ 22,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION:

      

BASIC

   $ 5.80      $ 4.70      $ 2.77   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DILUTED

   $ 5.66      $ 4.59      $ 2.72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

      

BASIC

     3,515        3,428        3,327   

DILUTED

     3,604        3,513        3,379   

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014  

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,695      $ 19,756   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $500 at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014

     58,807        68,822   

Inventories, net

     34,786        30,502   

Customer tooling in progress, net

     3,473        5,292   

Income taxes recoverable

     1,006        —     

Deferred income taxes

     9,555        5,671   

Other current assets

     4,839        5,596   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     138,161        135,639   

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

     15,326        9,977   

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

     10,816        11,639   

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     71,126        55,781   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 235,429      $ 213,036   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 27,838      $ 36,053   

Accrued liabilities:

    

Payroll and benefits

     16,107        18,058   

Environmental

     1,383        1,397   

Warranty

     11,835        3,462   

Income taxes

     —          527   

Other

     7,572        5,766   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     64,735        65,263   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES—see note on page 49

    

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     4,595        5,127   

BORROWINGS UNDER CREDIT FACILITY

     10,000        2,500   

ACCRUED PENSION OBLIGATIONS

     1,331        1,619   

ACCRUED POSTRETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

     1,657        2,223   

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     710        1,401   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common stock, authorized 12,000,000 shares, $.01 par value, issued 7,151,154 shares at June 28, 2015 and 7,110,308 shares at June 29, 2014

     71        71   

Capital in excess of par value

     89,560        87,054   

Retained earnings

     213,442        194,498   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (26,859     (20,198

Less: Treasury stock at cost (3,624,454 shares at June 28, 2015 and 3,625,492 shares at June 29, 2014)

     (135,902     (135,919
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION shareholders’ equity

     140,312        125,506   

Non-controlling interest

     12,089        9,397   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     152,401        134,903   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 235,429      $ 213,036   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    34


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Total     Common
Stock
     Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Treasury
Stock
    Non-Controlling
Interest
 

BALANCE July 1, 2012

   $ 87,398      $ 69       $ 80,621       $ 171,590      $ (35,757   $ (135,971   $ 6,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     11,513        —           —           9,375        —          —          2,138   

Currency translation adjustments

     736        —           —           —          727        —          9   

Pension and postretirement funded status adjustment, net of tax of $7,857

     12,818        —           —           —          12,818        —          —     

Cash dividends declared ($0.40 per share)

     (1,351     —           —           (1,351     —          —          —     

Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests of subsidiaries

     (1,331     —           —           —          —          —          (1,331

Stock-based compensation and shortfall tax benefit

     1,273        —           1,273         —          —          —          —     

Stock Option Exercises

     770        1         769         —          —          —          —     

Employee stock purchases

     54        —           21         —          —          33        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE June 30, 2013

   $ 111,880      $ 70       $ 82,684       $ 179,614      $ (22,212   $ (135,938   $ 7,662   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     19,140        —           —           16,424        —          —          2,716   

Currency translation adjustments

     (140     —           —           —          (143     —          3   

Pension and postretirement funded status adjustment, net of tax of $1,268

     2,157        —           —           —          2,157        —          —     

Cash dividends declared ($0.44 per share)

     (1,540     —           —           (1,540     —          —          —     

Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests of subsidiaries

     (984     —           —           —          —          —          (984

Stock-based compensation and shortfall tax benefit

     1,648        —           1,648         —          —          —          —     

Stock Option Exercises

     2,683        1         2,682         —          —          —          —     

Employee stock purchases

     59        —           40         —          —          19        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE June 29, 2014

   $ 134,903      $ 71       $ 87,054       $ 194,498      $ (20,198   $ (135,919   $ 9,397   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     24,551        —           —           20,654        —          —          3,897   

Currency translation adjustments

     (5,133     —           —           —          (4,810     —          (323

Pension and postretirement funded status adjustment, net of tax of $1,087

     (1,851     —           —           —          (1,851     —          —     

Cash dividends declared ($0.48 per share)

     (1,710     —           —           (1,710     —          —          —     

Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests of subsidiaries

     (882     —           —           —          —          —          (882

Stock-based compensation and shortfall tax benefit

     1,970        —           1,970         —          —          —          —     

Stock Option Exercises

     474        —           474         —          —          —          —     

Employee stock purchases

     79        —           62         —          —          17        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE June 28, 2015

   $ 152,401      $ 71       $ 89,560       $ 213,442      $ (26,859   $ (135,902   $ 12,089   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    35


LOGO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014     June 30, 2013  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net Income

   $ 24,551      $ 19,140      $ 11,513   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Equity loss (income) of joint ventures

     788        (957     225   

Depreciation and amortization

     8,815        8,267        7,490   

Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss

     (3,075     36        395   

Unrealized gain on peso option contracts

     —          —          (395

Loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment

     154        170        100   

Deferred income taxes

     (3,330     1,447        3,847   

Stock based compensation expense

     1,323        1,128        1,062   

Loss on settlement of pension obligation

     —          —          2,144   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables

     9,155        (21,291     (2,923

Inventories

     (4,284     (6,190     (3,076

Other assets

     (1,482     (6,535     2,809   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (1,463     16,188        (7,553

Other, net

     307        116        27   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     31,459        11,519        15,665   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Investment in joint ventures

     (4,384     —          (965

Loan to Joint Venture

     (315     (285     —     

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (26,097     (12,812     (12,515

Proceeds received on sale of property, plant and equipment

     1        71        91   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (30,795     (13,026     (13,389
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Borrowings under credit facility

     9,000        1,250        3,250   

Repayments under credit facility

     (1,500     (1,000     (1,000

Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases

     553        2,742        823   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     367        495        270   

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests of subsidiaries

     (882     (984     (1,331

Dividends paid

     (1,711     (1,542     (1,352
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     5,827        961        660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY IMPACT ON CASH

     (552     (5     (116
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     5,939        (551     2,820   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

      

Beginning of year

     19,756        20,307        17,487   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 25,695      $ 19,756      $ 20,307   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:

      

Income taxes

   $ 14,754      $ 5,441      $ 3,701   

Interest

   $ 47      $ 42      $ 42   

NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable

   $ 136      $ —        $ —     

Guarantee of joint venture revolving credit facility

   $ 995      $ —        $ —     

Guarantee of joint venture contract

   $ 250      $ —        $ —     

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    36


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive access control products including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products for primarily North American automotive customers. We also supply global automotive manufacturers through a unique strategic relationship with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under this relationship, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market the products of each company to global customers under the “VAST” brand name (as more fully described herein). STRATTEC products are shipped to customer locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Korea, China and India, and we provide full service and aftermarket support for our products. During 2013, we acquired a 51 percent ownership interest in a newly formed joint venture NextLock, LLC, which was formed to introduce a new generation of biometric security products based upon the designs of Actuator Systems LLC, our partner and the owner of the remaining ownership interest. Effective January 6, 2015, we changed the name of NextLock, LLC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated results of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, STRATTEC de Mexico, and its majority owned subsidiaries, ADAC-STRATTEC, LLC and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC. STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. STRATTEC de Mexico is located in Juarez, Mexico. ADAC-STRATTEC, LLC and STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC have operations in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Equity investments in Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (“VAST LLC”) and STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC) for which we exercise significant influence but do not control and are not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. VAST LLC consists primarily of three wholly owned subsidiaries in China, one wholly owned subsidiary in Brazil and one joint venture entity in India. STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC is located in El Paso, Texas. We have only one reporting segment.

The significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of these financial statements, as summarized in the following paragraphs, are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, and its majority owned subsidiaries. Equity investments for which STRATTEC exercises significant influence but does not control and is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.

New Accounting Standards: In August 2014, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This accounting update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance for the recognition of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The update supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance and outlines a single comprehensive model for revenue recognition based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received in the exchange of goods and services. The guidance update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The guidance update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and becomes effective for us at the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. We are currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance that amends current consolidation guidance by modifying the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal Year: Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest June 30. The years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013 are each comprised of 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses for the periods presented. These estimates and assumptions could also affect the disclosure of contingencies. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less due to the short-term nature of the instruments. Excess cash

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    37


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

balances are placed in short-term commercial paper. As of June 28, 2015, $14.8 million of our cash and cash equivalents balance held by our foreign subsidiaries in Mexico was deemed to be permanently reinvested.

Derivative Instruments: We own and operate manufacturing operations in Mexico. As a result, a portion of our manufacturing costs are incurred in Mexican pesos, which causes our earnings and cash flows to fluctuate as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate. During fiscal 2013, we had agreements with Bank of Montreal that provided for two weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts to cover a portion of our weekly estimated peso denominated operating costs. The contracts with Bank of Montreal expired on June 28, 2013. The two weekly option contracts were for equivalent notional amounts. The contracts provided for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 12.40 if the spot rate at the weekly expiry date was below an average of 12.40 or for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 13.40 if the spot rate at the weekly expiry date was above an average of 13.40. Our objective in entering into these currency option contracts was to minimize our earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. The Mexican peso option contracts were not used for speculative purposes and were not designated as hedges. As a result, all currency option contracts were recognized in our accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value and changes in the fair value of the currency option contracts were reported in current earnings as part of Other Income, net. The premiums paid and received under the weekly Mexican peso currency option contracts netted to zero. As a result, premiums related to the contracts did not impact our earnings. No Mexican peso currency option contracts were in effect during fiscal 2015 or 2014 and none were outstanding as of June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 or June 30, 2013.

The pre-tax effects of the Mexican peso option contracts on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

     Other Income, net  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

        

Realized gain

   $ —         $ —         $ 27   

Realized (loss)

   $ —         $ —         $ (39

Unrealized gain

   $ —         $ —         $ 395   

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and borrowings under credit facility approximated book value as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014. Fair Value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid for a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. There is an established fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable. Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These are typically obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets. Level 2—Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These are typically obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments. Level 3—Unobservable inputs, where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions of the data that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Assets:                        

Rabbi Trust Assets:

                       

Stock Index Funds:

                       

Small Cap

   $ 372       $ —         $ —         $ 372       $ 346       $ —         $ —         $ 346   

Mid Cap

     365         —           —           365         226         —           —           226   

Large Cap

     490         —           —           490         448         —           —           448   

International

     438         —           —           438         446         —           —           446   

Fixed Income Funds

     679         —           —           679         754         —           —           754   

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     —           —           —           —           —           28         —           28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value

   $ 2,344       $ —         $ —         $ 2,344       $ 2,220       $ 28       $ —         $ 2,248   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Rabbi Trust assets fund our supplemental executive retirement plan and are included in Other Long-Term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during 2015 or 2014.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    38


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Receivables: Receivables consist primarily of trade receivables due from Original Equipment Manufacturers in the automotive industry and locksmith distributors relating to our service and aftermarket sales. We evaluate the collectability of receivables based on a number of factors. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded for significant past due receivable balances based on a review of the past due items, general economic conditions and the industry as a whole. Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Balance,
Beginning
of Year
     Provision
for Doubtful
Accounts
     Net
Write-Offs
     Balance,
End of
Year
 

Year ended June 28, 2015

   $ 500       $ —         $ —         $ 500   

Year ended June 29, 2014

   $ 500       $ —         $ —         $ 500   

Year ended June 30, 2013

   $ 500       $ —         $ —         $ 500   

Inventories: Inventories are comprised of material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, and are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost method of accounting. Inventories consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Finished products

   $ 11,358       $ 9,034   

Work in process

     7,746         7,386   

Purchased materials

     17,982         16,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     37,086         32,652   

Excess and obsolete reserve

     (2,300      (2,150
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventories, net

   $ 34,786       $ 30,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We record a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based on historical and estimated future demand and market conditions. The reserve level is determined by comparing inventory levels of individual materials and parts to historical usage and estimated future sales by analyzing the age of the inventory in order to identify specific materials and parts that are unlikely to be sold. Technical obsolescence and other known factors are also considered in evaluating the reserve level. The activity related to the excess and obsolete inventory reserve was as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Balance,
Beginning
of Year
     Provision
Charged to
Expense
     Amounts
Written Off
     Balance,
End of
Year
 

Year ended June 28, 2015

   $ 2,150       $ 655       $ 505       $ 2,300   

Year ended June 29, 2014

   $ 1,500       $ 1,122       $ 472       $ 2,150   

Year ended June 30, 2013

   $ 1,300       $ 511       $ 311       $ 1,500   

Customer Tooling in Progress: We incur costs related to tooling used in component production and assembly. Costs for development of certain tooling, which will be directly reimbursed by the customer whose parts are produced from the tool, are accumulated on the balance sheet and are then billed to the customer. The accumulated costs are billed upon formal acceptance by the customer of products produced with the individual tool. Other tooling costs are not directly reimbursed by the customer. These costs are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related product based on the fact that the related tool will be used over the life of the supply arrangement. To the extent that estimated costs exceed expected reimbursement from the customer we will recognize a loss.

Repair and Maintenance Supply Parts: We maintain an inventory of repair and maintenance supply parts in support of operations. This inventory includes critical repair parts for all production equipment as well as general maintenance items. The inventory of critical repair parts is required to avoid disruptions in our customers’ just-in-time production schedules due to a lack of spare parts when equipment break-downs occur. All required critical repair parts are on hand when the related production equipment is placed in service and maintained to satisfy the customer model life production and service requirements, which may be 12 to 15 years. As repair parts are used, additional repair parts are purchased to maintain a minimum level of spare parts inventory. Depending on maintenance requirements during the life of the equipment, excess quantities of repair parts arise. Excess quantities are kept on hand and are not disposed of until the equipment is no longer in service. A repair and maintenance supply parts reserve is maintained to recognize the normal adjustment of inventory for obsolete and slow moving supply and maintenance parts. The adequacy of the reserve is reviewed periodically in relation to the repair parts inventory balances. The gross balance of the repair and maintenance supply parts inventory was approximately $2.9 million at June 28, 2015 and $2.3 million at June 29, 2014. The repair and maintenance supply parts inventory balance is included in Other Current Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The activity related to the repair and maintenance supply parts reserve was as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    39


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

 

     Balance,
Beginning
of Year
     Provision
Charged to
Expense
     Amounts
Written Off
     Balance,
End of
Year
 

Year ended June 28, 2015

   $ 585       $ 348       $ 313       $ 620   

Year ended June 29, 2014

   $ 500       $ 102       $ 17       $ 585   

Year ended June 30, 2013

   $ 500       $ 195       $ 195       $ 500   

Intangibles: Intangible assets that have defined useful lives were acquired in the purchase of the power sliding door, lift gate and deck lid system access control products from Delphi Corporation in 2009 and consist of patents, engineering drawings and software. The intangible assets balance is included in Other Long-term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value and accumulated amortization were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Patents, engineering drawings and software

   $ 890       $ 890   

Less: accumulated amortization

     (651      (552
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 239       $ 338   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The remaining useful life of the intangible assets in the table above is approximately 2.4 years. Intangible amortization expense was $99,000 for each of the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013. Intangible amortization expense is expected to be $99,000 in each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017, $41,000 in fiscal 2018 and zero thereafter.

Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

Classification

   Expected Useful Lives

Land improvements

   20 years

Buildings and improvements

   15 to 35 years

Machinery and equipment

   3 to 10 years

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Land and improvements

   $ 4,246       $ 3,269   

Buildings and improvements

     25,954         21,423   

Machinery and equipment

     164,367         148,025   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     194,567         172,717   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (123,441      (116,936
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 71,126       $ 55,781   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expense was as follows for the periods indicated (thousands of dollars):

 

     Depreciation Expense  

2015

   $ 8,716   

2014

   $ 8,168   

2013

   $ 7,391   

The gross and net book value of property, plant and equipment located outside of the United States, primarily in Mexico, were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Gross book value

   $ 87,876       $ 77,445   

Net book value

   $ 38,138       $ 29,804   

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. There were no impairments recorded in the years ended June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 or June 30, 2013.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition of plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    40


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Supplier Concentrations: The following inventory purchases were made from major suppliers during each fiscal year noted:

 

Fiscal Year

   Percentage of
Inventory
Purchases
    Number of
Suppliers
 

2015

     27     5   

2014

     38     7   

2013

     38     7   

We have long-term contracts or arrangements with most of our suppliers to guarantee the availability of raw materials and component parts.

Labor Concentrations: We had approximately 3,420 full-time associates of which approximately 260 or 7.6 percent were represented by a labor union at June 28, 2015. The associates represented by a labor union account for all production associates at our Milwaukee facility. The current contract with the unionized associates is effective through September 17, 2018.

Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized upon the shipment of products, which is when title passes, payment terms are final, we have no remaining obligations and the customer is required to pay. Revenue is recognized net of estimated returns and discounts, which is recognized as a deduction from revenue at the time of the shipment. Price concessions agreed to with customers are recorded as a reduction of sales at the later of when revenue related to the specific sales is recognized or the date at which the price concessions are offered and committed to.

Research and Development Costs: Expenditures relating to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements and refinements to existing products, are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenditures were approximately $280,000 in 2015, $700,000 in 2014 and $1.3 million in 2013.

Other Income, Net: Net other income included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income primarily included foreign currency transaction gains and losses, realized and unrealized gains and losses on our Mexican Peso option contracts, and Rabbi Trust gains. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses were the result of foreign currency transactions entered into by our Mexican subsidiaries and fluctuations in foreign currency cash balances. We entered into the Mexican Peso currency option contracts during fiscal 2013 to minimize earnings volatility resulting from changes in exchange rates affecting the U.S. dollar cost of our Mexican operations. The Rabbi Trust assets fund our amended and restated supplemental executive retirement plan. The investments held in the Trust are considered trading securities. The impact of these items for the periods presented was as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

   $ 3,075       $ (36    $ (395

Rabbi Trust gain

     96         211         164   

Unrealized gain on Mexican peso option contracts

     —           —           395   

Realized loss on Mexican peso option contracts

     —           —           (12 )  

Other

     310         97         177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,481       $ 272       $ 329   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Self Insurance Plans: We have self-insured medical and dental plans covering all eligible U.S. associates. The claims handling process for the self-insured plans are managed by a third-party administrator. Stop-loss insurance coverage limits our liability on a per individual per calendar year basis. The per individual per calendar year stop-loss limit was $150,000 in each calendar year 2012 through 2015. Effective January 1, 2011, under Health Care Reform, there is no lifetime maximum for overall benefits.

The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred under the self-insured medical and dental plans as of the applicable balance sheet date is not discounted and is recognized as an expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The expected ultimate cost of claims is estimated based upon the aggregate liability for reported claims and an estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported, which is based on an analysis of historical data, current health care trends and information available from the third-party administrator. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred under the self-insured medical and dental plans that has not been paid as of the applicable balance sheet date is included in Accrued Liabilities: Payroll and Benefits in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in the balance sheet amounts for self-insured plans were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Balance,
Beginning
of Year
     Provision
Charged to
Expense
     Payments      Balance,
End of
Year
 

Year ended June 28, 2015

   $ 420       $ 4,756       $ 4,756       $ 420   

Year ended June 29, 2014

   $ 420       $ 4,600       $ 4,600       $ 420   

Year ended June 30, 2013

   $ 320       $ 3,948       $ 3,848       $ 420   
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    41


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

Warranty Reserve: We have a warranty liability recorded related to our known and potential exposure to warranty claims in the event our products fail to perform as expected, and in the event we may be required to participate in the repair costs incurred by our customers for such products. The recorded warranty liability balance involves judgment and estimates. Our liability estimate is based on an analysis of historical warranty data as well as current trends and information, including our customers’ recent extension and/or expansion of their warranty programs. In recent fiscal periods, our largest customers have extended their warranty protection for their vehicles and have since demanded higher warranty cost sharing arrangements from their suppliers in their terms and conditions to purchase, including from STRATTEC. The 2015 warranty provision included various known or expected customer warranty issues and estimated future warranty costs to be incurred as of June 2015 for which amounts were reasonably estimable. As additional information becomes available, actual results may differ from recorded estimates, which may require us to adjust the amount of our warranty provision. The 2013 warranty provision credit included the impact of favorable adjustments for warranty claims settled during that year.

Changes in the warranty reserve were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Balance,
Beginning
of Year
     Provision
Charged  (Credited)
to Expense
     Payments      Balance,
End of
Year
 

Year ended June 28, 2015

   $ 3,462       $ 8,975       $ 602       $ 11,835   

Year ended June 29, 2014

   $ 2,500       $ 1,153       $ 191       $ 3,462   

Year ended June 30, 2013

   $ 4,958       $ (404    $ 2,054       $ 2,500   

Foreign Currency Translation: The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries and equity investees are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the average exchange rate for each applicable period for sales, costs and expenses. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of other accumulated comprehensive loss. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: Accumulated other comprehensive loss was comprised of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

      June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit liabilities, net of tax

   $ 18,638       $ 16,787       $ 18,944   

Foreign currency translation

     8,221         3,411         3,268   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 26,859       $ 20,198       $ 22,212   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred taxes have not been provided for the foreign currency translation adjustments.

The following tables summarize the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) for the years ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 (thousands of dollars):

 

    Year Ended June 28, 2015  
    Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
    Retirement and
Postretirement
Plans
    Total  

Balance June 29, 2014

  $ 3,411      $ 16,787      $ 20,198   

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

    5,133        5,654        10,787   

Income tax

    —          (2,092     (2,092
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

    5,133        3,562        8,695   

Reclassifications:

     

Prior service credits(A)

    —          753        753   

Actuarial gains(A)

    —          (3,468     (3,468
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reclassifications before tax

    —          (2,715     (2,715

Income Tax

    —          1,004        1,004   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net reclassifications

    —          (1,711     (1,711
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

    5,133        1,851        6,984   

Other comprehensive loss attributable to Non-Controlling interest

    (323     —          (323
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance June 28, 2015

  $ 8,221      $ 18,638      $ 26,859   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    42


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended June 29, 2014  
    Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
    Retirement and
Postretirement
Plans
    Total  

Balance June 30, 2013

  $ 3,268      $ 18,944      $ 22,212   

Other comprehensive loss (income) before reclassifications

    140        (665     (525

Income tax

    —          246        246   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive loss (income) before reclassifications

    140        (419     (279

Reclassifications:

     

Prior service credits(A)

    —          752        752   

Actuarial gains(A)

    —          (3,512     (3,512
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reclassifications before tax

    —          (2,760     (2,760

Income Tax

    —          1,022        1,022   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net reclassifications

    —          (1,738     (1,738
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss (income)

    140        (2,157     (2,017

Other comprehensive income attributable to Non-Controlling interest

    3        —          3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance June 29, 2014

  $ 3,411      $ 16,787      $ 20,198   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(A) 

Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost, which is included in Cost of Goods Sold and Engineering, Selling and Administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. See the Note Retirement Plans and Postretirement Costs in these notes to financial statements.

Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation: We maintain an omnibus stock incentive plan. This plan provides for the granting of stock options, shares of restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. The Board of Directors has designated 1,850,000 shares of common stock available for the grant of awards under the plan. Remaining shares available to be granted under the plan as of June 28, 2015 were 253,989. Awards that expire or are cancelled without delivery of shares become available for re-issuance under the plan. We issue new shares of common stock to satisfy stock option exercises.

Nonqualified and incentive stock options and shares of restricted stock have been granted to our officers, outside directors and specified associates under the stock incentive plan. Stock options granted under the plan may not be issued with an exercise price less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted. Stock options become exercisable as determined at the date of grant by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The options expire 5 to 10 years after the grant date unless an earlier expiration date is set at the time of grant. The options vest 1 to 4 years after the date of grant. Shares of restricted stock granted under the plan are subject to vesting criteria determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors at the time the shares are granted and have a minimum vesting period of three years from the date of grant. Restricted shares granted prior to August 2014 have voting and dividend rights, regardless of whether the shares are vested or unvested. Restricted shares granted during August 2014 and thereafter have voting rights, regardless of whether the shares are vested or unvested, but only have the right to receive cash dividends after such shares become vested. The restricted stock grants issued to date vest 3 years after the date of grant.

The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The resulting compensation cost for fixed awards with graded vesting schedules is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. The expected term of awards granted is determined based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules. The expected volatility is determined based on our historical stock prices over the most recent period commensurate with the expected term of the award. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term commensurate with the expected term of the award. Expected pre-vesting option forfeitures are based primarily on historical data. The fair value of each restricted stock grant was based on the market price of the underlying common stock as of the date of grant. The resulting compensation cost is amortized on a straight line basis over the vesting period. We record stock based compensation only for those awards that are expected to vest.

Unrecognized compensation cost as of June 28, 2015 related to stock options and restricted stock granted under the plan was as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Compensation
Cost
    Weighted Average Period
over which Cost is to be
Recognized (in years)
 

Stock options granted

  $ 457        0.8   

Restricted Stock granted

  $ 1,325        1.0   
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    43


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

Unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for any future changes in estimated and actual forfeitures.

Cash received from stock option exercises and the related income tax benefit were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

Fiscal Year

   Cash Received from
Stock Option Exercises
     Income Tax
Benefit
 

2015

   $ 474       $ 458   

2014

   $ 2,683       $ 729   

2013

   $ 770       $ 421   

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised and the fair value of stock options vested were as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Intrinsic value of options exercised

   $ 1,375       $ 2,134       $ 1,110   

Fair value of stock options vested

   $ 382       $ 444       $ 266   

The grant date fair values and assumptions used to determine compensation expense were as follows:

 

Options Granted During    2015     2014     2013  

Weighted average grant date fair value:

      

Options issued at grant date market value

     n/a        n/a        n/a   

Options issued above grant date market value

   $ 34.93      $ 17.58      $ 10.48   
Assumptions:       

Risk free interest rates

     1.90     2.06     0.95

Expected volatility

     57.83     58.75     57.58

Expected dividend yield

     0.62     1.11     1.69

Expected term (in years)

     6.0        6.0        6.0   

The range of options outstanding as of June 28, 2015 was as follows:

 

     Number of  Options
Outstanding/Exercisable
   Weighted Average Exercise
Price Outstanding/Exercisable
     Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual Life Outstanding
(In Years)
 

$10.92-$18.49

   48,914/48,914    $ 15.30/$15.30         4.2   

$22.47-$38.71

   105,983/42,189    $ 29.41/$25.14         6.2   

$79.73

   9,010/—    $ 79.73/$—           9.1   
     

 

 

    
      $ 27.97/$19.86      

Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and operating loss carry-forwards are expected to be recovered, settled or utilized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. We recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50 percent) that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit is recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, we accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are classified in the Provision for Income Taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In July 2015, we entered into additional agreements with Bank of Montreal that provide for bi-weekly Mexican peso currency forward contracts covering the period October 6, 2015 through June 21, 2016. The contracts provide for the purchase of Mexican pesos at an average U.S. dollar / Mexican peso exchange rate of 16.00. The notional amount over the contract period totals $13.5 million. See further discussion under Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Derivative Instruments included in these Notes to Financial Statements.

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES AND MAJORITY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

We participate in certain Alliance Agreements with WITTE Automotive (“WITTE”) and ADAC Automotive (“ADAC”). WITTE, of Velbert, Germany, is a privately held automotive supplier. WITTE

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    44


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

designs, manufactures and markets automotive components, including locks and keys, hood latches, rear compartment latches, seat back latches, door handles and specialty fasteners. WITTE’s primary market for these products has been Europe. ADAC, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a privately held automotive supplier and manufactures engineered products, including door handles and other automotive trim parts, utilizing plastic injection molding, automated painting and various assembly processes.

The Alliance Agreements include a set of cross-licensing agreements for the manufacture, distribution and sale of WITTE products by STRATTEC and ADAC in North America, and the manufacture, distribution and sale of STRATTEC and ADAC products by WITTE in Europe. Additionally, a joint venture company, Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (“VAST LLC”), in which WITTE, STRATTEC and ADAC each hold a one-third interest, exists to seek opportunities to manufacture and sell each of the company’s products in areas of the world outside of North America and Europe.

VAST do Brasil services customers in South America. Effective March 21, 2014, VAST LLC purchased the remaining non-controlling interest in VAST do Brasil. VAST Fuzhou, VAST Great Shanghai and VAST Shanghai Co. (collectively known as VAST China), provides a base of operations to service our automotive customers in the Asian market. VAST LLC also maintains branch offices in South Korea and Japan in support of customer sales and engineering requirements.

Effective April 30, 2015, VAST LLC executed an agreement to become a 50:50 Joint Venture partner with Minda Management Services Limited an affiliate of both Minda Corporation Limited and Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group of New Delhi, India (collectively “Minda”). VAST acquired a fifty percent equity interest in the former Minda-Valeo Security Systems joint venture entity, based in Pune, India, for approximately $12 million. This joint venture entity was renamed Minda-VAST Access Systems (“Minda-VAST”). The portion of the purchase price paid by each VAST LLC partner, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC, totaled $4 million. Minda-VAST will have operations in Pune and Delhi and is expected to have annual sales in excess of approximately $40 million. Minda and its affiliates cater to the needs of all major car, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, tractor and off-road vehicle manufacturers in India. They are a leading manufacturer in the Indian marketplace of security & access products, handles, automotive safety, restraint systems, driver information and telematics systems for both OEMs and the aftermarket.

The VAST LLC investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The activities related to the VAST LLC joint ventures resulted in equity earnings of joint ventures to STRATTEC of approximately $1.3 million during 2015 and $1.3 million during 2014 and equity loss to joint ventures of approximately $147,000 during 2013. Relocation costs associated with a move to a new facility and start-up costs associated with a new product line negatively impacted the financial results of VAST China during the first half of fiscal 2013, which resulted in STRATTEC incurring an equity loss from joint ventures in 2013. During 2015, cash capital contributions totaling $13.2 million were made to VAST LLC in support of the acquisition of the 50 percent joint venture interest in Minda-VAST and in support of general operating expenses for VAST do Brasil. STRATTEC’s portion of the cash capital contributions totaled $4.4 million. No cash capital contributions were made to VAST LLC during 2014. During 2013, cash capital contributions totaling $600,000 were made to VAST LLC in support of general operating expenses. STRATTEC’s portion of the cash capital contributions totaled $200,000. Loans were made by each partner, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC, to VAST LLC totaling $215,000 for each partner in 2015 and $285,000 for each partner in 2014. The loans were made in support of VAST LLC’s purchase of the non-controlling interest in VAST do Brasil and in support of funding operating costs of the Brazilian entity.

In fiscal year 2007, we established a new entity with ADAC forming ADAC-STRATTEC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The new entity was created to establish injection molding and door handle assembly operations in Mexico. STRATTEC holds a 51 percent interest in ADAC-STRATTEC LLC. A Mexican entity, ADAC-STRATTEC de Mexico, exists and is wholly owned by ADAC-STRATTEC LLC. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC’s financial results are consolidated with the financial results of STRATTEC and resulted in increased net income to STRATTEC of approximately $2.6 million in 2015, $1.4 million in 2014 and $1.1 million in 2013.

Effective November 30, 2008, we established a new entity with WITTE forming STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC (“SPA”), which is 80 percent owned by STRATTEC. SPA supplies the North American portion of the power sliding door, lift gate and deck lid system access control products which were acquired from Delphi Corporation. The financial results of SPA are consolidated with the financial results of STRATTEC and resulted in reduced net income to STRATTEC of approximately $269,000 in 2015, and increased income to STRATTEC of approximately $1.5 million in 2014 and $1.0 million in 2013.

On April 5, 2013, we acquired a 51 percent ownership interest in a newly formed joint venture, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC), which was formed to introduce a

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    45


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

new generation of biometric security products based upon the designs of Actuator Systems LLC, our partner and the owner of the remaining ownership interest. The initial capitalization of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC joint venture totaled $1.5 million. STRATTEC’s portion of the initial capitalization totaled $765,000. Our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, for which we exercise significant influence but do not control and are not the primary beneficiary, is accounted for using the equity method. The activities related to the STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC joint venture resulted in an equity loss of joint ventures to STRATTEC of approximately $2.0 million in 2015, $367,000 in 2014 and $78,000 in 2013. Notwithstanding the existence of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility described herein, as a result of STRATTEC’s guaranty of such credit facility and as a result of borrowing limitations imposed by the bank under such credit facility, even though we maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, effective with our fiscal 2015 fourth quarter, 100 percent of the funding for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC was being made through loans from STRATTEC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC in addition to the credit facility guarantee. Therefore, STRATTEC began recognizing 100 percent of the losses of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC through Equity Loss (Earnings) of Joint Ventures in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. In addition, the following losses were included in our 2015 Equity (Loss) Earnings of Joint Ventures for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (thousands of dollars):

 

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Vendor Contract

   $ 123   

Loss on Loan to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ 100   

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Credit facility

   $ 488   

The joint venture investments are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Investment in Joint Ventures:

     

Investment in VAST LLC

   $ 15,326       $ 9,657   

Investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

     —           320   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 15,326       $ 9,977   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other Current Liabilities:

     

Investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ 402       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY (LOSS) EARNINGS OF JOINT VENTURES

As discussed above under the note Investment in Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries, we hold a one-third ownership interest in VAST LLC, for which we exercise significant influence but do not control and are not the primary beneficiary. Our investment in VAST LLC is accounted for using the equity method. The following are summarized statements of operations and summarized balance sheet data for VAST LLC (thousands of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Net sales

   $ 124,929       $ 111,844       $ 92,388   

Cost of goods sold

     105,132         94,701         76,759   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     19,797         17,143         15,629   

Engineering, selling and administrative expense

     16,155         14,169         17,270   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     3,642         2,974         (1,641

Other income, net

     123         1,809         497   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

     3,765         4,783         (1,144

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     41         810         (690
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,724       $ 3,973       $ (454
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC’s share of VAST LLC net Income (loss)

   $ 1,241       $ 1,324       $ (151

Intercompany profit eliminations

     10         —           4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC’s equity earnings (loss) of VAST LLC

   $ 1,251       $ 1,324       $ (147
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    46


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,792       $ 8,267   

Receivables, net

     23,511         24,907   

Inventories, net

     13,792         12,649   

Other current assets

     12,479         7,720   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     55,574         53,543   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     26,070         23,949   

Other long-term assets

     15,413         2,779   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 97,057       $ 80,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 43,605       $ 44,436   

Long-term liabilities

     7,212         6,571   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 50,817       $ 51,007   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 46,240       $ 29,264   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC’s share of VAST LLC net assets

   $ 15,413       $ 9,755   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As discussed above under the note Investment in Joint Ventures and Majority Owned Subsidiaries, during 2013, we acquired a 51 percent ownership interest in a newly formed joint venture company, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock, LLC), which was formed to introduce a new generation of biometric security products based upon the designs of Actuator Systems LLC, our partner. Effective February 16, 2015, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC entered into a $1.5 million revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is fully guaranteed by STRATTEC. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility is at varying rates based, at STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC’s option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate {“LIBOR”) plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. The STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility currently has a maturity date of February 16, 2016. Outstanding borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015 totaled $995,000. STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC is considered a variable interest entity based on the STRATTEC guarantee. STRATTEC is not the primary beneficiary and does not control the entity. Accordingly, our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC is accounted for using the equity method. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has a recorded liability equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee of $995,000, which amount is equal to the outstanding borrowings on the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015. The liability is included in Other Current Liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. STRATTEC’s proportionate share of the guarantee based on our ownership percentage in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC totals $507,000, and accordingly, we have increased our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC as of June 28, 2015 by this amount. Our joint venture partner did not guarantee their proportionate share of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility. As a result, STRATTEC recorded a loss of $488,000 which is equal to our partner’s proportionate share, based upon their ownership interest in the joint venture, of the fair value of the STRATTEC guarantee. This loss is included in Equity Loss (Earnings) of Joint Ventures for 2015 in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Effective November 1, 2014, a license agreement was signed with Westinghouse allowing STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC to do business as Westinghouse Security. Payments required under this license agreement were guaranteed by STRATTEC. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has recorded a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee of these payments of $250,000, which amount is equal to the future payments required to be made under the license agreement as of June 28, 2015. The liability is included in Other Long-term Liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. STRATTEC’s proportionate share of the guarantee of these payments based on our ownership percentage in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC totals $127,000, and accordingly, we have increased our investment in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC as of June 28, 2015 by this amount. Our joint venture partner did not guarantee their proportionate share of the payments required under the license agreement. As a result, STRATTEC recorded a loss of $123,000 which is equal to our partner’s proportionate share, based upon their ownership interest in the joint venture, of the fair value of the STRATTEC guarantee. This loss is included in Equity Loss (Earnings) of Joint Ventures for 2015 in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

During 2015, a loan was made from STRATTEC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC in support of operating expenses and working capital needs. As of June 28, 2015, the outstanding loan amount totaled $100,000. A valuation reserve of $100,000 was recorded related to this loan as of June 28, 2015. The corresponding loss related to this valuation reserve is included in Equity Loss (Earnings) of Joint Ventures in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Notwithstanding the existence of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility described herein, as a result of STRATTEC’s guaranty of such credit facility and as a result of borrowing limitations imposed by the bank under such credit facility, even though we maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, effective with our fiscal 2015 fourth quarter, 100 percent of the funding for STRATTEC

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    47


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

Advanced Logic, LLC was being made by STRATTEC through loans. Therefore, STRATTEC began recognizing 100 percent of the losses of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC through Equity Loss (Earnings) of Joint Ventures in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

The following are summarized statements of operations and summarized balance sheet data for STRATTEC Advanced Logic (thousands of dollars):

 

     Years Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 30, 2013  

Net sales

   $ 49       $ —         $ —     

Cost of goods sold

     450         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     (401      —           —     

Engineering, selling and administrative expense

     1,492         720         153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     (1,893      (720      (153

Other income (expense), net

     (4      —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (1,897    $ (720      (153
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC’s share of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC loss

   $ (1,328    $ (367    $ (78

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Vendor Contract

     (123      —           —     

Loss on Loan to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

     (100      —           —     

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Credit facility

     (488      —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC’s equity loss of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ (2,039    $ (367    $ (78
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Cash and cash equivalents

      $ 71       $ 611   

Receivables, net

        14         —     

Inventories, net

        246         —     

Property, plant and equipment, net

        —           20   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 331       $ 631   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

      $ 1,600       $ 4   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (liabilities) assets

      $ (1,269    $ 627   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

STRATTEC’s share of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC net (liabilities) assets

      $ (647    $ 320   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

We have sales of component parts to VAST LLC and STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, purchases of component parts from VAST LLC, expenses charged to VAST LLC for engineering and accounting services and expenses charged from VAST LLC for general headquarter expenses. The following tables summarize the related party transactions with VAST LLC and STRATTEC Advanced Logic LLC for the periods indicated (thousands of dollars):

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Sales to VAST LLC

   $ 2,298       $ 231       $ 141   

Sales to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ 157       $ —         $ —     

Purchases from VAST LLC

   $ 164       $ 233       $ 219   

Expenses charged to VAST LLC

   $ 832       $ 743       $ 517   

Expenses charged from VAST LLC

   $ 1,825       $ 1,261       $ 729   

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29. 2014  

Accounts receivable from VAST LLC

   $ 118       $ 119   

Accounts receivable from STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC(A)

   $ 278       $ —     

Current loan receivable from STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC(A)

   $ 100       $ —     

Long-term loan receivable from VAST LLC

   $ 500       $ 285   

Accounts payable to VAST LLC

   $ 267       $ 98   

 

(A)

Based on the current financial position of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, a valuation reserve has been established as of June 28, 2015 for the full amount of the receivable balance.

CREDIT FACILITIES AND GUARANTEES

STRATTEC has a $30 million secured revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A. ADAC-STRATTEC LLC has a $10 million secured revolving credit facility (the “ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is guaranteed by STRATTEC. The credit

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    48


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

facilities both expire on August 1, 2018. Borrowings under either credit facility are secured by our U.S. cash balances, accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets located in the U.S. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC Credit Facility is at varying rates based, at our option, on LIBOR plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Interest on borrowings under the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility for periods prior to January 22, 2014 was at varying rates based, at our option, on LIBOR plus 1.75 percent or the bank’s prime rate. As a result of an amendment to the ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility, effective January 22, 2014 and thereafter, interest on borrowings under this facility is based, at our option, on LIBOR plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. Both credit facilities contain a restrictive financial covenant that requires the applicable borrower to maintain a minimum net worth level. The ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility includes an additional restrictive financial covenant that requires the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of June 28, 2015, we were in compliance with all financial covenants.

Outstanding borrowings under the credit facilities referenced in the above paragraph were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

STRATTEC Credit Facility

   $ 7,000       $ —     

ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility

   $ 3,000       $ 2,500   

Average outstanding borrowings and the weighted average interest rate under each such credit facility during 2015 and 2014 were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Average Outstanding
Borrowings
     Weighted Average
Interest Rate
 
     2015      2014      2015     2014  

STRATTEC Credit Facility

   $ 2,288       $ —           1.2     —  

ADAC-STRATTEC Credit Facility

   $ 3,666       $ 2,643         1.2     1.7

We believe that the credit facilities referenced above are adequate, along with existing cash balances and cash flow from operations, to meet our anticipated capital expenditure, working capital, dividend and operating expenditure requirements.

Effective February 16, 2015, STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (formerly known as NextLock LLC) entered into a $1.5 million revolving credit facility (the “STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which is fully guaranteed by STRATTEC. Interest on borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility is at varying rates based, at STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC’s option, on LIBOR plus 1.0 percent or the bank’s prime rate. The STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility currently has a maturity date of February 16, 2016. Outstanding borrowings under the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015 totaled $995,000. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has recorded a liability related to the guarantee of $995,000, which amount is equal to the outstanding borrowings on the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility as of June 28, 2015, and which amount is also equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee as of the June 28, 2015 balance sheet date. Effective November 1, 2014 a license agreement was signed with Westinghouse allowing STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC to do business as Westinghouse Security. STRATTEC guaranteed payments under the Westinghouse agreement. As of June 28, 2015, STRATTEC has recorded a liability related to the guarantee of $250,000, which amount is equal to the amount of the future payments required under the Westinghouse agreement as of June 28, 2015 and which amount is also equal to the estimated fair value of the guarantee as of the June 28, 2015 balance sheet date. See further discussion under Equity (Loss) Earnings of Joint Ventures included herein.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, alleged breaches of contracts, product warranties, intellectual property matters and employment related matters. It is our opinion that the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of STRATTEC. With respect to warranty matters, although we cannot ensure that the future costs of warranty claims by customers will not be material, we believe our established reserves are adequate to cover potential warranty settlements.

We have a reserve for estimated costs to remediate an environmental contamination site at our Milwaukee facility. The site was contaminated by a solvent spill, which occurred in 1985, from a former above ground solvent storage tank located on the east side of the facility. The reserve was initially established in 1995. Due to changing technology and related costs associated with active remediation of the site, in fiscal 2010 the reserve was adjusted based on updated third party estimates to adequately cover the cost for active remediation of the contamination. From 1995 through June 28, 2015, costs of approximately $492,000 have been incurred related to the installation of monitoring wells on the property and ongoing monitoring costs. We monitor and evaluate the site with the use of groundwater monitoring wells that are installed on the property. An environmental consultant samples these wells one or two times a year to determine the status of the contamination and the potential for remediation of the contamination by natural attenuation, the dissipation of the contamination over time to concentrations below applicable standards. If such sampling evidences a sufficient degree of and trend toward natural attenuation of the contamination, we may be able to obtain a closure letter from the regulatory authorities resolving the issue without the need

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    49


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

for active remediation. If a sufficient degree and trend toward natural attenuation is not evidenced by sampling, a more active form of remediation beyond natural attenuation may be required. The sampling has not yet satisfied all of the requirements for closure by natural attenuation. As a result, sampling continues and the reserve remains at an amount to reflect the estimated cost of active remediation. The reserve is not measured on a discounted basis. We believe, based on findings-to-date and known environmental regulations, that the environmental reserve of $1.4 million at June 28, 2015, is adequate.

At June 28, 2015, we had purchase commitments for zinc, other purchased parts and natural gas and minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases with a term in excess of one year which are payable as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

Fiscal Year

   Purchase
Commitments
     Minimum Rental
Commitments
 
2016    $ 12,987       $ 305   
2017    $ 11,335       $ 247   
2018    $ 10,503       $ 210   
2019    $ 4,791       $ 83   
2020    $ —         $ —     

Rental expense under all non-cancelable operating leases was as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

Fiscal Year

   Rental Expense  
2015    $ 993   
2014    $ 849   
2013    $ 604   

INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (thousands of dollars):

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Currently payable:

        

Federal

   $ 9,891       $ 4,811       $ (561

State

     657         252         185   

Foreign

     2,164         2,164         1,895   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,712         7,227         1,519   
Deferred tax (benefit) provision      (3,330)         1,447         3,847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $9,382       $ 8,674       $ 5,366   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the Federal statutory tax rate and the provision for income taxes were as follows:

 

     2015     2014     2013  

U.S. statutory rate

     34.7     34.5     34.0

State taxes, net of Federal tax benefit

     0.7        1.0        2.0   

Foreign subsidiaries

     (1.3     (0.9     (2.2

Non-controlling interest

     (4.1     (3.5     (3.1

Valuation allowance

     —          —          (1.0

Other

     (2.4     0.1        2.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     27.6     31.2     31.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of deferred tax assets and (liabilities) were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Deferred income taxes-current:

     
Repair and maintenance supply parts reserve    $ 229       $ 216   
Payroll-related accruals      2,314         2,049   
Environmental reserve      512         517   
Inventory reserve      722         720   
Allowance for doubtful accounts      185         185   
Accrued warranty      3,250         966   
Customer sales concession reserve      1,465         —     
Other      878         1,018   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 9,555       $ 5,671   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes-noncurrent:

     

Accrued pension obligations

   $ (12,594    $ (11,741

Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit plan liabilities

     11,125         10,038   
Accumulated depreciation      (5,253      (4,967
Stock-based compensation      928         692   
Postretirement obligations      (63      171   
NOL/credit carry-forwards      105         143   
Other      1,157         537   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (4,595    $ (5,127
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    50


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered.

State operating loss and credit carry-forwards at June 28, 2015 resulted in future benefits of approximately $145,000 and expire in 2024. A valuation allowance of $40,000 has been recorded as of June 28, 2015 due to our assessment of the future realization of certain research and development credit carry-forward benefits. We do not currently anticipate having sufficient state taxable income to offset these credit carry-forwards.

Foreign income before the provision for income taxes was $5.9 million in 2015, $6.6 million in 2014 and $6.0 million in 2013. No provision for Federal income taxes was made on earnings of foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures that are considered permanently invested or that would be offset by foreign tax credits upon distribution. Such undistributed earnings at June 28, 2015 were approximately $30.6 million.

The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $460,000 as of June 28, 2015 and $1.4 million as of June 29, 2014 and was included in Other Long-term Liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. This liability includes approximately $437,000 of unrecognized tax benefits at June 28, 2015 and $1.3 million at June 29, 2014 and approximately $23,000 of accrued interest at June 28, 2015 and $113,000 at June 29, 2014. This liability does not include an amount for accrued penalties. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was approximately $32,000 at June 28, 2015 and $861,000 at June 29, 2014. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the years ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 (thousands of dollars):

 

     Year Ended  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year    $ 1,289       $ 1,510   
Gross increases—tax positions in prior years      3         —     

Gross decreases—tax positions in prior years

     —           (215
Gross increases—current period tax positions      146         59   
Tax Years Closed      (1,001      (65
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year    $ 437       $ 1,289   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We or one of our subsidiaries files income tax returns in the United States (Federal), Wisconsin (state), Michigan (state) and various other states, Mexico and other foreign jurisdictions. Tax years open to examination by tax authorities under the statute of limitations include fiscal 2012 through for Federal, fiscal 2010 through 2015 for most states and calendar 2010 through 2014 for foreign jurisdictions.

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT COSTS

We have a qualified, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (“Qualified Pension Plan”) covering substantially all U.S. associates. Benefits are based on years of service and final average compensation. Our policy is to fund at least the minimum actuarially computed annual contribution required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Plan assets consist primarily of listed equity and fixed income securities. Effective December 31,2009, an amendment to the Qualified Pension Plan discontinued the benefit accruals for salary increases and credited service rendered after that date. On April 2, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to terminate the Qualified Pension Plan. The termination of the Qualified Pension Plan is subject to the Internal Revenue Service’s (“IRS”) determination that the Qualified Pension Plan is qualified on termination. We believe it will take 18 to 24 months to finalize the complete termination of the Qualified Pension Plan after obtaining IRS approval. We have not yet received IRS approval that the qualified plan is qualified on termination. Additionally, we have amended the Qualified Pension Plan to provide that participants are 100 percent vested in their accrued benefits as of the effective date of the plan termination, to adopt a new standard for disability benefits that will apply when the plan’s assets are distributed due to the termination, to add a lump sum distribution for employees and terminated vested participants who are not in payment status when Qualified Pension Plan assets are distributed due to the termination and to make certain other conforming amendments to the Qualified Pension Plan to comply with applicable laws that may be required by the IRS or may be deemed necessary or advisable to improve the administration of the Qualified Pension Plan or facilitate its termination and liquidation. We also intend to make contributions to the Trust Fund for the Qualified Pension Plan to ensure that there are sufficient assets to provide all Qualified Pension Plan benefits as of the anticipated distribution date. The financial impact of

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    51


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

the plan termination will be recognized as a settlement of the Qualified Pension Plan liabilities. The settlement date and related financial impact have not yet been determined.

We have historically had in place a noncontributory supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”), which prior to January 1, 2014 was a nonqualified defined benefit plan that essentially mirrored the Qualified Pension Plan, but provided benefits in excess of certain limits placed on our Qualified Pension Plan by the Internal Revenue Code. As noted above, we froze our Qualified Pension Plan effective as of December 31, 2009 and the SERP provided benefits to participants as if the Qualified Pension Plan had not been frozen. Because the Qualified Pension Plan was frozen and because new employees were not eligible to participate in the Qualified Pension Plan, our Board of Directors adopted amendments to the SERP on October 8, 2013 that were effective as of December 31, 2013 to simplify the SERP calculation. The SERP is funded through a Rabbi Trust with BMO Harris Bank N.A. Under the amended SERP, participants received an accrued lump-sum benefit as of December 31, 2013 which was credited to each participant’s account. Going forward, each eligible participant will receive a supplemental retirement benefit equal to the foregoing lump sum benefit, plus an annual benefit accrual equal to 8% of the participant’s base salary and cash bonus, plus annual credited interest on the participant’s account balance. All current participants are fully vested in their account balances with any new individuals participating in the SERP effective on or after January 1, 2014 being subject to a five year vesting period. The SERP, which is considered a defined benefit plan under applicable rules and regulations, will continue to be funded through use of a Rabbi Trust to hold investment assets to be used in part to fund any future required lump sum benefit payments to participants. The foregoing amendments to the SERP did not have a material effect on our financial statements. During fiscal 2013, SERP benefits of approximately $5.8 million were cash settled using Rabbi Trust assets and current cash balances. We incurred a settlement charge to operations of approximately $2.1 million pre-tax as a result of a requirement to expense a portion of the unrealized actuarial losses due to the settlement of the SERP obligation. The charge had no effect on our aggregate equity balance because the unrealized actuarial losses were previously recognized during prior periods in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accordingly, the effect of the settlement charge on our retained earnings was offset by a corresponding reduction in our accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Rabbi Trust assets had a value of $2.3 million and $2.2 million at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively, and are included in Other Long-Term Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The projected benefit obligation under the amended SERP was $1.6 million at June 28, 2015 and $1.9 million at June 29, 2014, respectively. The SERP liabilities are included in the pension tables below. However, the Rabbi Trust assets are excluded from the tables as they do not qualify as plan assets.

We also sponsor a postretirement health care plan for all U.S. associates hired prior to June 1, 2001. The expected cost of retiree health care benefits is recognized during the years the associates who are covered under the plan render service. Effective January 1, 2010, an amendment to the postretirement health care plan limited the benefit for future eligible retirees to $4,000 per plan year and the benefit is further subject to a maximum five year coverage period based on the associate’s retirement date and age. The postretirement health care plan is unfunded.

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, at June 28, 2015, which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Pension and SERP      Postretirement  

Prior service cost (credit)

   $ 21       $ (1,715
Net actuarial loss      17,160         3,171   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 17,181       $ 1,456   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Prior service cost (credit) and unrecognized net actuarial losses included in accumulated other

comprehensive loss at June 28, 2015 which are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in

fiscal 2016, net of tax, for the pension, SERP and postretirement plans are as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

     Pension and SERP      Postretirement  

Prior service cost (credit)

   $ 7       $ (481
Net actuarial loss      1,539         388   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,546       $ (93
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables summarize the pension, SERP and postretirement plans’ income and expense, funded status and actuarial assumptions for the years indicated (thousands of dollars). We use a June 30 measurement date for our pension and postretirement plans.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    52


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

     Pension and SERP Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
     Years Ended     Years Ended  
     June 28,
2015
    June 29,
2014
    June 30,
2013
    June 28,
2015
    June 29,
2014
    June 30,
2013
 

COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:

            

Service cost

   $ 64      $ 217      $ 216      $ 14      $ 15      $ 15   

Interest cost

     4,173        4,407        4,447        114        157        181   

Expected return on plan assets

     (6,174     (6,442     (6,126     —          —          —     

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

     11        12        12        (764     (764     (764

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

     2,775        2,665        4,453        693        847        898   

Settlement loss

     —          —          2,144        —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 849      $ 859      $ 5,146      $ 57      $ 255      $ 330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Pension and SERP Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
     2015     2014     2015     2014  

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS:

        

Benefit Obligations:

        

Discount rate

     4.53     4.39     4.53     4.39

Rate of compensation increases—SERP

     3.0     3.0     n/a        n/a   

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

        

Discount rate

     4.39     5.02     4.39     5.02

Expected return on plan assets

     6.5     7.5     n/a        n/a   

Rate of compensation increases—SERP

     3.0     3.0     n/a        n/a   

CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION:

        

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 97,445      $ 89,915      $ 2,929      $ 3,540   

Service cost

     64        217        14        15   

Interest cost

     4,173        4,407        114        157   

Plan Amendments

     —          (3     —          —     

Actuarial (gain) loss

     2,118        7,030        (189     (112

Benefits paid

     (4,471     (4,121     (689     (671
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 99,329      $ 97,445      $ 2,179      $ 2,929   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:

        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 104,340      $ 90,434      $ —        $ —     

Actual return on plan assets

     2,450        14,021        —          —     

Employer contribution

     3,153        4,006        689        671   

Benefits paid

     (4,471     (4,121     (689     (671
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 105,472      $ 104,340      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status-prepaid (accrued) benefit obligations

   $ 6,143      $ 6,895      $ (2,179   $ (2,929
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS:

        

Other long-term assets

   $ 7,733      $ 8,768      $ —        $ —     

Accrued payroll and benefits (current liabilities)

     (259     (254     (522     (706

Accrued benefit obligations (long-term liabilities)

     (1,331     (1,619     (1,657     (2,223
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   $ 6,143      $ 6,895      $ (2,179   $ (2,929
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CHANGES IN PLAN ASSETS AND BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS RECOGNIZED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

        

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 849      $ 859      $ 57      $ 255   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net actuarial (gain) loss

     5,843        (550     (189     (112

Prior service cost

     —          (3     —          —     

Amortization of prior service (cost) credits

     (11     (12     764        764   

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

     (2,775     (2,665     (693     (847
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income), before tax

     3,057        (3,230     (118     (195
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income), before tax

   $ 3,906      $ (2,371   $ (61   $ 60   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    53


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

LOGO

The pension benefits have a separately determined accumulated benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits based on service rendered and current and past compensation levels. This differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumptions about future compensation levels. The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligations and projected benefit obligations for the pension and SERP (thousands of dollars):

 

     Pension      SERP  
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014  

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 97,739       $ 95,573       $ 1,245       $ 1,422   

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 97,739       $ 95,573       $ 1,590       $ 1,872   

For measurement purposes as it pertains to the estimated obligation associated with retirees prior to January 1, 2010, a 7.5 percent annual rate increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 2016; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5 percent by the year 2022 and remain at that level thereafter.

The health care cost trend assumption has a significant effect on the postretirement benefit amounts reported. A 1% change in the health care cost trend rates would have the following effects (thousands of dollars):

 

     1% Increase      1% Decrease  

Effect on total of service and interest cost components in fiscal 2015

   $ 2       $ (2

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of June 28, 2015

   $ 24       $ (24

We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of short and long-term plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio primarily contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth and value style managers, and small, mid and large market capitalizations. The investment portfolio does not include any real estate holdings, but has a small allocation to hedge funds. The investment policy of the plan prohibits investment in STRATTEC stock. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through periodic investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements and periodic asset/liability studies. The pension plan weighted-average asset allocations by asset category were as follows for 2015 and 2014:

 

     Target Allocation     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014  

Equity investments

     35     35     43

Fixed-income investments

     30        26        26   

Cash

     35        39        26   

Other

     —          —          5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following is a summary, by asset category, of the fair value of pension plan assets at the June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 measurement dates (thousands of dollars):

 

     June 30, 2015      June 30, 2014  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Asset Category

                       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —         $ 41,241       $ —         $ 41,241       $ —         $ 27,736       $ —         $ 27,736   

Equity Securities/Funds:

                       

Small Cap

     —           —           —           —           —           —           —           —     

Mid Cap

     10,766         —           —           10,766         10,866         —           —           10,866   

Large Cap

     17,965         —           —           17,965         21,920         —           —           21,920   

International

     8,483         —           —           8,483         11,728         —           —           11,728   

Fixed Income Bond Funds/Bonds

     5,041         21,925         —           26,966         4,884         21,771         —           26,655   

Hedge Funds

     —           —           51         51         —           —           5,435         5,435   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 42,255       $ 63,166       $ 51       $ 105,472       $ 49,398       $ 49,507       $ 5,435       $ 104,340   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 investments for the pension plan assets (thousands of dollars):

 

     Fair Value
June 30, 2014
     Net Purchases
and Sales
     Realized
and Unrealized
Gain, net
     Fair Value
June 30, 2015
 

Hedge Funds

   $ 5,435       $ (5,557    $ 173       $ 51   

There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 investments during the year ended June 30, 2015.

The expected long-term rate of return on U.S. pension plan assets used to calculate net periodic benefit cost was lowered to 5.45 percent for 2016 from 6.5 percent for 2015. The target asset allocation is 35 percent public equity and 65 percent fixed income/cash. The 6.5 percent is approximated by applying returns of 10 percent on public equity and 3 percent on fixed income to the target allocation. The actual historical returns are also relevant. Annualized returns for periods ended June 30, 2015 were 6.40 percent for 5 years, 4.67 percent for 10 years, 4.28 percent for 15 years, 5.80 percent for 20 years, 6.30 percent for 25 years and 7.29 percent for 30 years.

We expect to contribute approximately $3 million to our qualified pension plan and $522,000 to our postretirement health care plan in fiscal 2016. We do not expect to make contributions to our SERP in fiscal 2016. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid during the fiscal years noted below (thousands of dollars):

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    54


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

     Pension and SERP Benefits      Postretirement Benefits  

2016

   $ 5,033       $ 522   

2017

   $ 5,042       $ 432   

2018

   $ 5,292       $ 361   

2019

   $ 5,540       $ 277   

2020

   $ 5,857       $ 202   

2021-2025

   $ 31,164       $ 514   

All U.S. associates may participate in our 401(k) Plan. We contribute 100 percent up to the first 5

percent of eligible compensation that a participant contributes to the plan. Our contributions to the 401(k) Plan were as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

      2015      2014      2013  

Company Contributions

   $ 1,729       $ 1,605       $ 1,464   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

We have 12,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, par value $.01 per share, with 3,526,700 and 3,484,816 shares outstanding at June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters voted on by shareholders.

Our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to 3,839,395 outstanding shares as of June 28, 2015. As of June 28, 2015, 3,655,322 shares have been repurchased under this program at a cost of approximately $136.4 million. No Shares were repurchased under this program during 2015 or 2014.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”)

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Potential dilutive common shares include outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. A reconciliation of the components of the basic and diluted per share computations follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Net Income Attributable to STRATTEC

   $ 20,654       $ 16,424       $ 9,375   

Less: Income Attributable to Participating Securities

     258         296         171   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders

   $ 20,396       $ 16,128       $ 9,204   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding

     3,515         3,428         3,327   

Incremental Shares—Stock based Compensation

     89         85         52   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding

     3,604         3.513         3,379   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings Per Share

   $ 5.80       $ 4.70       $ 2.77   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   $ 5.66       $ 4.59       $ 2.72   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We consider unvested restricted stock that provides the holder with a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends to be a participating security.

Options to purchase shares of common stock that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive were as follows:

 

      Number of Options Excluded  

June 28, 2015

     10,000   

June 29, 2014

     —     
June 30, 2013      248,000   

STOCK OPTION AND PURCHASE PLANS

A summary of stock option activity under our stock incentive plan was as follows:

 

     Shares      Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term (in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

(in thousands)
 

Balance at July 1, 2012

     332,800       $ 28.19         

Granted

     40,000       $ 25.64         

Exercised

     (55,845    $ 13.78         

Expired

     (41,500    $ 52.68         

Terminated

     (4,000    $ 17.59         
  

 

 

          

Balance at June 30, 2013

     271,455       $ 27.19         
  

 

 

          

Granted

     40,000       $ 38.71         

Exercised

     (92,256    $ 29.08         

Expired

     (22,500    $ 58.33         

Terminated

     (11,457    $ 30.61         
  

 

 

          

Balance at June 29, 2014

     185,242       $ 24.73         
  

 

 

          

Granted

     10,000       $ 79.73         

Exercised

     (22,746    $ 20.83         

Terminated

     (8,589    $ 37.43         
  

 

 

          

Balance at June 28, 2015

     163,907       $ 27.97         5.8       $ 7,018   
  

 

 

          

Exercisable as of:

           

June 28, 2015

     91,103       $ 19.86         4.1       $ 4,592   

June 29, 2014

     76,699       $ 16.91         4.3       $ 3,769   

June 30, 2013

     139,955       $ 29.95         4.4       $ 2,104   

Available for grant as of June 28, 2015

     253,989            
 

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    55


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LOGO

 

Options granted at a price greater than the market value on the date of grant included in the table above were as follows:

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Shares

     10,000         40,000         40,000   

Exercise Price

   $ 79.73       $ 38.71       $ 25.64   

A summary of restricted stock activity under our stock incentive plan was as follows:

 

     Shares      Weighted Average
Grant Date

Fair  Value
 

Nonvested Balance at July 1, 2012

     49,400       $ 20.45   
  

 

 

    

Granted

     24,150       $ 23.69   

Vested

     (10,400    $ 15.44   

Forfeited

     (1,900    $ 25.49   
  

 

 

    

Nonvested Balance at June 30, 2013

     61,250       $ 22.42   
  

 

 

    

Granted

     24,950       $ 37.29   

Vested

     (19,350    $ 20.40   

Forfeited

     (3,250    $ 27.88   
  

 

 

    

Nonvested Balance at June 29, 2014

     63,600       $ 28.64   
  

 

 

    

Granted

     25,000       $ 70.90   

Vested

     (18,100    $ 23.02   

Forfeited

     (4,150    $ 45.71   
  

 

 

    

Nonvested Balance at June 28, 2015

     66,350       $ 45.03   
  

 

 

    

We have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan to provide substantially all U.S. full-time associates an opportunity to purchase shares of STRATTEC common stock through payroll deductions. A participant may contribute a maximum of $5,200 per calendar year to the plan. On the last day of each month or if such date is not a trading day on the most recent previous trading day, participant account balances are used to purchase shares of our common stock at the average of the highest and lowest reported sales prices of a share of STRATTEC common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market. A total of 100,000 shares may be issued under the plan. Shares issued from treasury stock under the plan totaled 1,038 at an average price of $76.06 during 2015, 1,181 at an average price of $49.53 during 2014 and 2,000 at an average price of $26.88 during 2013. A total of 69,132 shares remain available for purchase under the plan as of June 28, 2015.

EXPORT SALES

Total export sales, sales from the United States to locations outside of the United States, and countries for which customer sales accounted for ten percent or more of total net sales are summarized as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):

 

     2015     2014     2013  
     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %  

Export Sales

   $ 141,584         34   $ 119,099         34   $ 111,159         37

Export Sales into Canada

   $ 60,987         15   $ 76,736         22   $ 69,221         23

PRODUCT SALES

Sales by product group were as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):

 

     2015     2014     2013  
     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %  

Keys & Locksets

   $ 114,287         28   $ 115,379         33   $ 102,157         34

Aftermarket & OE Service

     78,717         19     49,586         14     36,487         12

Power Access

     68,078         16     60,141         17     56,443         19

Door Handles & Exterior Trim

     60,864         15     48,034         14     37,225         13

Driver Controls

     57,894         14     53,729         16     51,032         17

Latches

     24,320         6     14,664         4     9,385         3

Other

     7,315         2     6,886         2     5,450         2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 411,475         100   $ 348,419         100   $ 298,179         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

SALES AND RECEIVABLE CONCENTRATION

Sales to our largest customers were as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of total net sales):

 

     2015     2014     2013  
     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

   $ 116,914         28   $ 117,502         34   $ 95,476         32

General Motors Company

     105,809         26     79,526         23     56,972         19

Ford Motor Company

     45,415         11     46,619         13     44,773         15
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    
   $ 268,138         65   $ 243,647         70   $ 197,221         66
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

Receivables from our largest customers were as follows (thousands of dollars and percent of gross receivables):

 

     June 28, 2015     June 29, 2014  
     Receivables      %     Receivables      %  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

   $ 17,060         29   $ 22,202         32

General Motors Company

     8,751         15     20,717         30

Ford Motor Company

     7,340         12     6,358         9
  

 

 

      

 

 

    
   $ 33,151         56   $ 49,277         71
  

 

 

      

 

 

    
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    56


REPORTS

 

 

REPORT ON MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL

CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The consolidated financial statements and notes included in this annual report have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and necessarily include some amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.

We, as management of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, are responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The system of internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the financial statements is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for reliability through a program of internal audits. Actions are taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation.

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, consisting entirely of independent directors, meets regularly with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviews audit plans and results, as well as management’s actions taken in discharging responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, and internal control. Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has direct and confidential access to the Audit Committee at all times to discuss the results of their examinations.

Management assessed the Corporation’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of June 28, 2015, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013),” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of June 28, 2015, its system of internal control over financial reporting was effective and met the criteria of the “Internal Control – Integrated Framework”. Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

 

LOGO   LOGO  
Frank J. Krejci   Patrick J. Hansen  
President and   Senior Vice President and  
Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer  
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    57


LOGO

REPORTS

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION:

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 28, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report on Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 28, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended June 28, 2015 of the Company and our report dated September 4, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

 

LOGO

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 4, 2015

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    58


REPORTS

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 28, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. 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 STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and subsidiaries as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the three years in the period ended June 28, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 28, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated September 4, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

LOGO

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 4, 2015

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    59


LOGO

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 

 

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The financial data for each period presented below reflects the consolidated results of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary and its majority owned subsidiaries. The information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” and the Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere herein. The following data are in thousands of dollars except per share amounts.

 

     Fiscal Years  
     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

          

Net sales

   $ 411,475      $ 348,419      $ 298,179      $ 279,234      $ 260,933   

Gross profit

     72,660        65,798        53,866        50,263        42,163   

Engineering, selling, and administrative expenses

     41,534        39,274        34,934        33,920        33,443   

Loss on settlement of pension obligation

     —          —          2,144        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     31,126        26,524        16,788        16,343        8,720   

Interest income

     185        106        21        69        119   

Equity (loss) earnings of joint ventures

     (788     957        (225     (1,071     1,246   

Interest expense

     (71     (45     (34     (81     (175

Other income, net

     3,481        272        329        582        220   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before taxes and non-controlling interest

     33,933        27,814        16,879        15,842        10,130   

Provision for income taxes

     9,382        8,674        5,366        3,589        2,540   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     24,551        19,140        11,513        12,253        7,590   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

     3,897        2,716        2,138        3,460        2,172   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

   $ 20,654      $ 16,424      $ 9,375      $ 8,793      $ 5,418   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION:

          

Basic

   $ 5.80      $ 4.70      $ 2.77      $ 2.66      $ 1.65   

Diluted

   $ 5.66      $ 4.59      $ 2.72      $ 2.64      $ 1.63   

Cash dividends declared per share

   $ 0.48      $ 0.44      $ 0.40      $ 0.40      $ 1.20   

BALANCE SHEET DATA

          

Net working capital

   $ 73,426      $ 70,376      $ 55,774      $ 44,318      $ 43,414   

Total assets

   $ 235,429      $ 213,036      $ 169,500      $ 166,038      $ 148,088   

Long-term liabilities

   $ 18,293      $ 12,870      $ 6,895      $ 21,667      $ 7,036   

Total STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

          

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 140,312      $ 125,506      $ 104,218      $ 80,552      $ 86,215   
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    60


FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following data are in thousands of dollars except per share amounts.

 

                        Net Income
Attributable to
     Earnings
Per Share
     Cash
Dividends
Declared
     Market Price Per Share  
     Quarter    Net Sales      Gross Profit      STRATTEC      Basic      Diluted      Per Share      High      Low  

2015

   First    $ 122,242       $ 28,057       $ 9,300       $ 2.63       $ 2.55       $ 0.12       $ 89.87       $ 60.45   
   Second      101,990         18,452         5,778         1.62         1.58         0.12       $ 110.96       $ 72.13   
   Third      88,817         15,751         4,376         1.23         1.20         0.12       $ 86.98       $ 60.29   
   Fourth(1)      98,426         10,400         1,200         0.34         0.33         0.12       $ 89.89       $ 60.11   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       
   TOTAL    $ 411,475       $ 72,660       $ 20,654       $ 5.80       $ 5.66       $ 0.48         
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

2014

   First    $ 79,595       $ 14,515       $ 3,211       $ 0.93       $ 0.91       $ 0.11       $ 41.73       $ 35.10   
   Second      81,484         15,943         3,873         1.11         1.09         0.11       $ 47.66       $ 37.22   
   Third      85,278         14,892         3,601         1.03         1.00         0.11       $ 77.83       $ 43.04   
   Fourth      102,062         20,448         5,739         1.62         1.58         0.11       $ 73.95       $ 59.16   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       
   TOTAL    $ 348,419       $ 65,798       $ 16,424       $ 4.70       $ 4.59       $ 0.44         
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

(1) Our 2015 fiscal fourth quarter was impacted by approximately $8.5 million of customer warranty provisions for expected warranty payments to be settled in future periods. Also impacting our 2015 fiscal fourth quarter was an equity loss from our investment in our STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC joint venture of $1.1 million. Notwithstanding the existence of the STRATTEC Advanced Logic Credit Facility described herein, as a result of STRATTEC’s guaranty of such credit facility and as a result of borrowing limitations imposed by the bank under such credit facility, even though we maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC, effective with our fiscal 2015 fourth quarter, 100 percent of the funding for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC was being made through loans from STRATTEC to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC in addition to the credit facility guarantee. Therefore, STRATTEC began recognizing 100 percent of the losses of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income beginning with our 2015 fiscal fourth quarter. In addition, the following losses are included in our 2015 fiscal fourth quarter equity loss of joint ventures for STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC (thousands of dollars):

 

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Vendor Contract

   $ 123   

Loss on Loan to STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC

   $ 100   

Loss on Guarantee of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC Credit facility

   $ 121   

Registered shareholders of record at June 28, 2015 were 1,354.

 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    61


LOGO

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

 

The chart below shows a comparison of the cumulative return since June 27, 2010 had $100 been invested at the close of business on June 27, 2010 in STRATTEC Common Stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index (all issuers), and the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index.

 

 

LOGO

 

     6/27/10      7/3/11      7/1/12      6/30/13      6/29/14      6/28/15  

STRATTEC Security Corporation**

     100.00         96.00         97.31         175.81         313.51         335.47   

NASDAQ Composite Index

     100.00         132.14         142.90         169.55         223.20         253.21   

Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index

     100.00         168.39         129.92         186.36         253.31         273.08   

 

* $100 invested on 6/27/10 in stock or in index, including reinvestment of dividends. Indexes calculated on a month-end basis.
** The Friday fiscal year end closing price of STRATTEC Common Stock on June 25, 2010 was $22.01, the closing price on July 1, 2011 was $21.13, the closing price on June 29, 2012 was $21.04, the closing price on June 28, 2013 was $37.36, the closing price on June 27, 2014 was $66.06 and the closing price on June 26, 2015 was $70.26.
 

 

2015  STRATTEC  Annual  Report    62


LOGO


LOGO


LOGO

strt-ex23_603.htm

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-103219, 333-31002, 333-45221, 333-4300, 333-140715 and 333-199906 on Form S-8 of our reports dated September 4, 2015, relating to the consolidated financial statements of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, and the effectiveness of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION for the year ended June 28, 2015.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 4, 2015

 

strt-ex311_604.htm

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Frank J. Krejci, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  September 4, 2015

 

 

/s/ Frank J. Krejci

 

Frank J. Krejci

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

strt-ex312_424.htm

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Patrick J. Hansen, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  September 4, 2015

 

 

/s/ Patrick J. Hansen

 

Patrick J. Hansen,

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

strt-ex32_425.htm

Exhibit 32

Certification of Periodic Financial Report

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (the "Company") certifies that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended June 28, 2015 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in that Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated:  September 4, 2015

/s/ Frank J. Krejci

 

Frank J. Krejci,

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Dated:  September 4, 2015

/s/ Patrick J. Hansen

 

Patrick J. Hansen,

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

This certification is made solely for purpose of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other purpose.