UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549


FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 8, 2024

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 
Wisconsin
0-25150
39-1804239
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices, and Zip Code)
 
(414) 247-3333
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:



Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)



Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)



Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))



Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
STRT
 
The Nasdaq Global Stock Market
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐



Section 2 – Financial Information

Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 8, 2024, STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 31, 2023.  A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.  The attached Exhibit 99.1 is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K.

Pursuant to General Instruction B.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02 and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Furthermore, the information in this Item 2.02 and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of STRATTEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 
(d)
Exhibits

99.1 ‑‑ Press Release of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, issued February 8, 2024.
 
104 – Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


SIGNATURE

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

 
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
     
 
By:
/s/ Dennis P. Bowe
 
   
Dennis P. Bowe, Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 8, 2024





Exhibit 99.1
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION REPORTS FISCAL 2024 SECOND QUARTER
OPERATING RESULTS
 
February 8, 2024
 
Second Fiscal Quarter earnings per share $0.26 vs $0.47 loss, an improvement driven by customer pricing increases
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (NASDAQ:STRT) is a market leader of a comprehensive range of "Smart" Vehicle Power Access and Electronic and Security Solutions, serving the global automotive industry.
 
Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial Highlights
 

Diluted earnings per share of $0.26 versus $0.47 loss last year

Gross Margins expanded to 11.4% compared with 6.5% last year

Revenues increased by 4.7%, driven by pricing increases with major customers

STRATTEC Interim CEO Rolando Guillot said, “This quarter demonstrated the progress we are making in improving our financial performance.  It also highlighted opportunities to optimize our working capital and strong balance sheet. We intend to take advantage of a more predictable supply chain to bring greater efficiencies to our operations. Looking forward, we will focus on new product introductions that will expand STRATTEC’s offerings to our customers.”
 
Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial Summary
 
   
Second Quarter Ending
 
   
Dec. 31, 2023
   
Jan. 1, 2023
   
Inc (Dec)
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                 
Net Sales
 
$
118,532
   
$
113,184
   
$
5,348
 
Gross Profit
 
$
13,497
   
$
7,387
   
$
6,110
 
Gross Margin
   
11.4
%
   
6.5
%
       
Operating Expenses
 
$
13,439
   
$
12,081
   
$
1,358
 
Operating Income
 
$
58
   
$
(4,694
)
 
$
4,752
 
Net Income
 
$
1,022
   
$
(1,839
)
 
$
2,861
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.26
   
$
(0.47
)
 
$
0.73
 


Revenue growth was driven primarily by pricing increases to our major customers.  Those price increases were $8.0 million, of which $3.8 million represents ongoing pricing increases.  Total pricing increases were partially offset by a $2.7 million decline in net sales, primarily due to lower sales to a major customer and some effects of the UAW strike against the U.S. auto industry in October.
 
Gross margin improvement was driven by pricing increases, lower raw material costs, operating leverage from higher production levels and $780,000 of efficiencies realized from our Mexican operations.  Offsetting those positive trends were higher prices paid to certain suppliers, $2.5 million of unfavorable U.S. dollar to Mexican peso exchange rate effects, $1.3 million of wage increases due to a mandatory Mexican minimum wage-increase and $1.3 million higher freight costs.
 
One-time costs of $900,000 associated with the retirement of our former CEO were recorded during the quarter.  In addition, higher development expenses in support of new products also impacted results, largely explaining the remaining $458,000 increase in expenses.  Net Income was $1.0 million compared to a loss of $1.8 million last year.  Fully diluted earnings per share were $0.26 compared with a loss of $0.47 last year.
 
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
 
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents on hand totaled $11.6 million.  Total debt as of December 31, 2023 was $13.0 million, which was all held by the ADAC-STRATTEC LLC joint venture.
 
For the second quarter of fiscal 2024, cash flow provided by operations was negative $3.0 million, compared to the prior year quarter cash flow provided by operations of $4.0 million.  The decrease in cash flow for the current quarter was driven by temporary increases in working capital, specifically inventory, customer tooling in progress and a value added tax recoverable.  Capital expenditures in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $1.5 million, compared with $4.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023.
 
As announced on January 5, 2024, F. Jack Liebau, Jr. has been appointed Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors and Harold M. Stratton II has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Board. "As Board Chairman, I look forward to working with the Board in the near term to improve governance policies consistent with current best practices while strengthening the Company’s focus on providing long-term shareholder returns," Mr. Liebau said.
 

About STRATTEC
 
STRATTEC 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, power tailgate systems for trucks, door handles and related products. These products are provided to customers in North America, and on a global basis 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 each company’s products to global customers as cooperating partners of the “VAST Automotive Group” brand name.  STRATTEC’s history in the automotive business spans over 110 years.
 
Caution on Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements contained in this release 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,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” and “would.”   Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties in the Company’s operations and business environment.  These uncertainties include 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 product recall policies, work stoppages at the Company or at the location of its key customers as a result of labor disputes, foreign currency fluctuations, uncertainties stemming from U.S. trade policies, tariffs and reactions to same from foreign countries, the volume and scope of product returns, adverse business and operational issues resulting from the continuing effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, matters adversely impacting the timing and availability of component parts and raw materials needed for the production of our products and the products of our customers and fluctuations in our costs of operation (including fluctuations in the cost of raw materials).  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 press release 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 release.  In addition, such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed further in the Company’s quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:  Dennis Bowe
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
414-247-3399
www.strattec.com


STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Condensed Results of Operations
(In Thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
December 31, 2023
   
January 1, 2023
   
December 31, 2023
   
January 1, 2023
 
                         
Net Sales
 
$
118,532
   
$
113,184
   
$
253,938
   
$
233,544
 
                                 
Cost of Goods Sold
   
105,035
     
105,797
     
221,721
     
213,661
 
                                 
Gross Profit
   
13,497
     
7,387
     
32,217
     
19,883
 
                                 
Engineering, Selling & Administrative Expenses
   
13,439
     
12,081
     
26,053
     
24,781
 
                                 
Income (Loss) from Operations
   
58
     
(4,694
)
   
6,164
     
(4,898
)
                                 
Interest Expense
   
(219
)
   
(196
)
   
(439
)
   
(325
)
                                 
Interest Income
   
107
     
-
     
194
     
-
 
                                 
Other Income, net
   
1,098
     
640
     
967
     
874
 
                                 
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes and Non-Controlling Interest
   
1,044
     
(4,250
)
   
6,886
     
(4,349
)
                                 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
   
264
     
(1,735
)
   
1,651
     
(1,771
)
                                 
Net Income (Loss)
   
780
     
(2,515
)
   
5,235
     
(2,578
)
                                 
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest
   
(242
)
   
(676
)
   
48
     
(864
)
                                 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
 
$
1,022
   
$
(1,839
)
 
$
5,187
   
$
(1,714
)
                                 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.26
   
$
(0.47
)
 
$
1.31
   
$
(0.44
)
Diluted
 
$
0.26
   
$
(0.47
)
 
$
1.30
   
$
(0.44
)
                                 
Average Basic Shares Outstanding
   
3,976
     
3,927
     
3,962
     
3,913
 
                                 
Average Diluted Shares Outstanding
   
3,998
     
3,927
     
3,986
     
3,913
 
                                 
Other
                               
Capital Expenditures
 
$
1,473
   
$
4,759
   
$
4,393
   
$
9,477
 
Depreciation
 
$
4,330
   
$
4,301
   
$
8,715
   
$
8,798
 


STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Condensed Balance Sheet Data
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
December 31, 2023
   
July 2, 2023
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
11,575
   
$
20,571
 
Receivables, net
   
70,802
     
89,811
 
Inventories, net
   
89,439
     
77,597
 
Customer Tooling in Progress, net
   
24,951
     
20,800
 
Value Added Tax Recoverable
   
17,906
     
7,912
 
Other Current Assets
   
7,624
     
9,091
 
Total Current Assets
   
222,297
     
225,782
 
Other Long-term Assets
   
19,317
     
20,702
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
   
90,137
     
94,446
 
   
$
331,751
   
$
340,930
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts Payable
 
$
41,308
   
$
57,927
 
Value Added Tax Payable
   
7,122
     
6,499
 
Borrowings Under Credit Facility - Current
   
13,000
     
-
 
Other
   
44,906
     
44,560
 
Total Current Liabilities
   
106,336
     
108,986
 
Accrued Pension and Postretirement Obligations
   
2,440
     
2,363
 
Borrowings Under Credit Facility - Long-Term
   
-
     
13,000
 
Other Long-term Liabilities
   
5,334
     
5,557
 
Shareholders' Equity
   
340,769
     
334,683
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
   
(13,878
)
   
(14,194
)
Less: Treasury Stock
   
(135,501
)
   
(135,526
)
Total STRATTEC SECURITY
               
CORPORATION Shareholders' Equity
   
191,390
     
184,963
 
Non-Controlling Interest
   
26,251
     
26,061
 
Total Shareholders' Equity
   
217,641
     
211,024
 
   
$
331,751
   
$
340,930
 


STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

      
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
      
December 31, 2023
   
January 1, 2023
   
December 31, 2023
   
January 1, 2023
 
                         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                       
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
780
   
$
(2,515
)
 
$
5,235
   
$
(2,578
)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to
                               
Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities:
                               
Depreciation
   
4,330
     
4,301
     
8,715
     
8,798
 
Equity Loss (Earnings) in Joint Ventures
   
4
     
(588
)
   
269
     
(1,115
)
Foreign Currency Transaction (Gain) Loss
   
(123
)
   
514
     
(349
)
   
585
 
Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Peso Forward Contracts
   
(826
)
   
(12
)
   
(826
)
   
23
 
Stock Based Compensation Expense
   
479
     
263
     
984
     
874
 
Change in Operating Assets/Liabilities
   
(7,943
)
   
1,943
     
(21,099
)
   
1,898
 
Other, net
   
257
     
128
     
157
     
250
 
                                 
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities
   
(3,042
)
   
4,034
     
(6,914
)
   
8,735
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                               
Proceeds from sale of interest in VAST LLC
   
-
     
-
     
2,000
     
-
 
Investment in Joint Ventures
   
-
     
(104
)
   
-
     
(104
)
Additions to Property, Plant & Equipment
   
(1,473
)
   
(4,759
)
   
(4,393
)
   
(9,477
)
Proceeds on Sales of Property, Plant & Equipment
   
-
     
4
     
-
     
4
 
 
                               
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
   
(1,473
)
   
(4,859
)
   
(2,393
)
   
(9,577
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                               
Borrowings on Line of Credit Facility
   
-
     
4,000
     
2,000
     
9,000
 
Payments on Line of Credit Facility
   
-
     
-
     
(2,000
)
   
(3,000
)
Dividends Paid to Non-Controlling Interest of Subsidiary
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(600
)
Exercise of Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchases
   
20
     
20
     
37
     
146
 
                                 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
   
20
     
4,020
     
37
     
5,546
 
Effect of Foreign Currency Fluctuations on Cash
   
405
     
53
     
274
     
100
 
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash & Cash Equivalents
   
(4,090
)
   
3,248
     
(8,996
)
   
4,804
 
Cash & Cash Equivalents:
                               
Beginning of Period
   
15,665
     
10,330
     
20,571
     
8,774
 
End of Period
 
$
11,575
   
$
13,578
   
$
11,575
   
$
13,578