NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
General
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the annual financial statements incorporated therein.
The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented herein.
Note 1 – Recent Accounting Standards
Adopted
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Disclosure Framework- Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU significantly changes the current incurred credit loss model under U.S. GAAP, which delays the recognition of credit losses until it is probable a loss has been incurred, to a current expected credit losses model which requires immediate recognition of management estimates of credit losses. The Company adopted the ASU during the first quarter of 2020 using a retrospective approach. The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. For employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans, the ASU eliminates requirements for certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, requires new disclosures related to the weighted-average interest crediting rate for cash balance plans and explanations for significant gains and losses related to changes in benefit obligations, and clarifies the requirements for entities that provide aggregate disclosures for two or more plans. The Company adopted the ASU during the first quarter of 2020 using a retrospective approach. The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The ASU eliminates requirements to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between level 1 and level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but requires public companies to disclose changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (OCI) for recurring level 3 fair value measurements or instruments held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted the ASU during the first quarter of 2020. The guidance on changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in OCI for recurring level 3 measurements, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty is applied prospectively. All other amendments are applied retrospectively. The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 2 – Earnings per Common Share
Basic per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted per share amounts reflect the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, computed using the treasury stock method. Approximately three thousand and 110 thousand stock-based awards were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, respectively, because they were antidilutive.
Note 3 – Acquisitions
Kessler Sales and Distribution, LLC
On August 3, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Wieland-Kessler LLC, whereby the Company purchased the Kessler distribution business, which included inventory, manufacturing equipment, and related assets. The total purchase price was $57.2 million in cash paid at closing. The Company treated this as a business combination. The acquired business, Kessler Sales and Distribution, LLC, is a distributor of residential and commercial plumbing products. It is reported within and complements the Company’s existing businesses in the Piping Systems segment.
The provisional fair value of tangible assets acquired totaled $26.0 million, consisting primarily of inventory. Of the remaining purchase price, $31.2 million was allocated to tax-deductible goodwill and intangible assets. The purchase price allocation is provisional as of September 26, 2020 and subject to change upon completion of the final valuation of the long-lived assets during the measurement period.
Shoals Tubular, Inc.
On January 17, 2020, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Shoals Tubular, Inc. (STI) for approximately $15.4 million, net of working capital adjustments. The total purchase price consisted of $15.4 million in cash at closing. STI is a manufacturer of brazed manifolds, headers, and distributor assemblies used primarily by manufacturers of residential heating and air conditioning units. The acquired business is reported within and complements the Company’s existing businesses in the Climate segment.
The fair value of the tangible assets acquired totaled $6.2 million, consisting primarily of property, plant, and equipment of $3.7 million, inventories of $1.8 million, and accounts receivable of $0.7 million. The fair value of the liabilities assumed totaled $0.2 million, consisting primarily of accounts payable. Of the remaining purchase price, $9.4 million was allocated to tax-deductible goodwill and intangible assets. The purchase price allocation is provisional as of September 26, 2020 and subject to change upon completion of the final valuation of the long-lived assets and working capital during the measurement period.
Note 4 – Segment Information
Each of the Company’s reportable segments is composed of certain operating segments that are aggregated primarily by the nature of products offered as follows:
Piping Systems
Piping Systems is composed of the following operating segments: Domestic Piping Systems Group, Great Lakes Copper, Heatlink Group, Die-Mold, European Operations, Trading Group, and Jungwoo-Mueller (the Company’s South Korean joint venture). The Domestic Piping Systems Group manufactures copper tube, fittings, and line sets. These products are manufactured in the U.S., sold in the U.S., and exported to markets worldwide. Outside the U.S., Great Lakes Copper manufactures copper tube and line sets in Canada and sells the products primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Heatlink Group produces a complete line of products for PEX plumbing and radiant systems in Canada and sells these products in Canada and the U.S. Die-Mold manufactures PEX and other plumbing-related fittings and plastic injection tooling in Canada and sells these products in Canada and the U.S. European Operations manufacture copper tube in the U.K. which is sold primarily in Europe. The Trading Group manufactures pipe nipples and resells brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products in the U.S. and Mexico. Jungwoo-Mueller manufactures copper-based joining products that are sold worldwide. The Piping Systems segment’s products are sold primarily to plumbing, refrigeration, and air-conditioning wholesalers, hardware wholesalers and co-ops, building product retailers, and air-conditioning original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Industrial Metals
Industrial Metals is composed of the following operating segments: Brass Rod & Copper Bar Products, Impacts & Micro Gauge, and Brass Value-Added Products. These businesses manufacture brass rod, impact extrusions, and forgings, as well as a wide variety of end products including plumbing brass, automotive components, valves, fittings, and gas assemblies. These products are manufactured in the U.S. and sold primarily to OEMs in the U.S., many of which are in the industrial, transportation, construction, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, plumbing, refrigeration, and energy markets.
Climate
Climate is composed of the following operating segments: Refrigeration Products, Fabricated Tube Products, Westermeyer, Turbotec, ATCO, Linesets, Inc., and STI. These domestic businesses manufacture and fabricate valves, assemblies, high pressure components, coaxial heat exchangers, insulated HVAC flexible duct systems, line sets, brazed manifolds, headers, and distributor assemblies primarily for the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the U.S.
Summarized segment information is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Corporate and Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
409,414
|
|
|
$
|
118,831
|
|
|
$
|
97,604
|
|
|
$
|
(6,744)
|
|
|
$
|
619,105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
339,904
|
|
|
95,717
|
|
|
70,450
|
|
|
(5,291)
|
|
|
500,780
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
5,362
|
|
|
1,774
|
|
|
2,547
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
10,752
|
|
Selling, general, and administrative expense
|
|
19,285
|
|
|
2,992
|
|
|
6,451
|
|
|
9,618
|
|
|
38,346
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
44,863
|
|
|
18,348
|
|
|
18,156
|
|
|
(12,140)
|
|
|
69,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,885)
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
522
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
64,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Corporate and Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
390,917
|
|
|
$
|
135,443
|
|
|
$
|
90,938
|
|
|
$
|
(8,696)
|
|
|
$
|
608,602
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
330,418
|
|
|
117,893
|
|
|
70,523
|
|
|
(8,046)
|
|
|
510,788
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
5,751
|
|
|
1,836
|
|
|
2,491
|
|
|
745
|
|
|
10,823
|
|
Selling, general, and administrative expense
|
|
18,738
|
|
|
3,115
|
|
|
9,961
|
|
|
8,925
|
|
|
40,739
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
36,010
|
|
|
12,599
|
|
|
7,963
|
|
|
(10,320)
|
|
|
46,252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,148)
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
533
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
40,637
|
|
Segment information (continued):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Corporate and Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
1,128,467
|
|
|
$
|
338,652
|
|
|
$
|
276,983
|
|
|
$
|
(21,910)
|
|
|
$
|
1,722,192
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
931,339
|
|
|
285,788
|
|
|
206,083
|
|
|
(10,556)
|
|
|
1,412,654
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
16,517
|
|
|
5,771
|
|
|
7,770
|
|
|
2,830
|
|
|
32,888
|
|
Selling, general, and administrative expense
|
|
54,963
|
|
|
8,690
|
|
|
19,607
|
|
|
31,454
|
|
|
114,714
|
|
Asset impairments
|
|
3,035
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,035
|
|
Litigation settlement, net
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(21,933)
|
|
|
(21,933)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
122,613
|
|
|
38,403
|
|
|
43,523
|
|
|
(23,705)
|
|
|
180,834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,237)
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,634
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
169,231
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Corporate and Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
1,193,274
|
|
|
$
|
434,037
|
|
|
$
|
276,853
|
|
|
$
|
(17,387)
|
|
|
$
|
1,886,777
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
1,019,546
|
|
|
372,542
|
|
|
212,201
|
|
|
(18,160)
|
|
|
1,586,129
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
16,953
|
|
|
5,518
|
|
|
6,932
|
|
|
2,453
|
|
|
31,856
|
|
Selling, general, and administrative expense
|
|
56,620
|
|
|
9,280
|
|
|
24,336
|
|
|
31,602
|
|
|
121,838
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
100,155
|
|
|
46,697
|
|
|
33,384
|
|
|
(33,282)
|
|
|
146,954
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,135)
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
823
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
127,642
|
|
The following tables represent a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers, along with the reportable segment for each category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tube and fittings
|
|
$
|
320,619
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
320,619
|
|
Brass rod and forgings
|
|
—
|
|
|
89,487
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
89,487
|
|
OEM components, tube & assemblies
|
|
7,402
|
|
|
11,215
|
|
|
35,957
|
|
|
54,574
|
|
Valves and plumbing specialties
|
|
81,393
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
81,393
|
|
Other
|
|
—
|
|
|
18,129
|
|
|
61,647
|
|
|
79,776
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
409,414
|
|
|
118,831
|
|
|
97,604
|
|
|
625,849
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,744)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
619,105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tube and fittings
|
|
$
|
320,789
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
320,789
|
|
Brass rod and forgings
|
|
—
|
|
|
103,616
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
103,616
|
|
OEM components, tube & assemblies
|
|
7,059
|
|
|
11,724
|
|
|
32,334
|
|
|
51,117
|
|
Valves and plumbing specialties
|
|
63,069
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
63,069
|
|
Other
|
|
—
|
|
|
20,103
|
|
|
58,604
|
|
|
78,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
390,917
|
|
|
135,443
|
|
|
90,938
|
|
|
617,298
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,696)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
608,602
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tube and fittings
|
|
$
|
878,764
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
878,764
|
|
Brass rod and forgings
|
|
—
|
|
|
253,647
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
253,647
|
|
OEM components, tube & assemblies
|
|
49,509
|
|
|
32,524
|
|
|
105,461
|
|
|
187,494
|
|
Valves and plumbing specialties
|
|
200,194
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
200,194
|
|
Other
|
|
—
|
|
|
52,481
|
|
|
171,522
|
|
|
224,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,128,467
|
|
|
338,652
|
|
|
276,983
|
|
|
1,744,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,910)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,722,192
|
|
Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers (continued):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Piping Systems
|
|
Industrial Metals
|
|
Climate
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tube and fittings
|
|
$
|
986,783
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
986,783
|
|
Brass rod and forgings
|
|
—
|
|
|
333,622
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
333,622
|
|
OEM components, tube & assemblies
|
|
21,786
|
|
|
37,613
|
|
|
106,542
|
|
|
165,941
|
|
Valves and plumbing specialties
|
|
184,705
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
184,705
|
|
Other
|
|
—
|
|
|
62,802
|
|
|
170,311
|
|
|
233,113
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,193,274
|
|
|
434,037
|
|
|
276,853
|
|
|
1,904,164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,387)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,886,777
|
|
Note 5 – Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
September 26,
2020
|
|
December 28,
2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash & cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
113,640
|
|
|
$
|
97,944
|
|
Restricted cash included within other current assets
|
|
636
|
|
|
—
|
|
Restricted cash included within other assets
|
|
103
|
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
|
|
$
|
114,379
|
|
|
$
|
98,042
|
|
Amounts included in restricted cash relate to required deposits in brokerage accounts that facilitate the Company’s hedging activities as well as imprest funds for the Company’s self-insured workers’ compensation program.
Note 6 – Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
September 26,
2020
|
|
December 28,
2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raw materials and supplies
|
|
$
|
78,210
|
|
|
$
|
85,769
|
|
Work-in-process
|
|
41,136
|
|
|
48,814
|
|
Finished goods
|
|
159,674
|
|
|
163,842
|
|
Valuation reserves
|
|
(7,710)
|
|
|
(6,318)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
$
|
271,310
|
|
|
$
|
292,107
|
|
Note 7 – Financial Instruments
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company’s earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. The Company uses derivative instruments such as commodity futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, and interest rate swaps to manage these exposures.
All derivatives are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, it is either a) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flow to be paid (cash flow hedge) or b) not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, even though the derivative contract was executed to mitigate an economic exposure (economic hedge), as the Company does not enter into derivative contracts for trading purposes. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated, and highly effective as a cash flow hedge are recorded in stockholders’ equity within AOCI, to the extent effective, until they are reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivatives executed as economic hedges are reported in current earnings.
The Company documents all relationships between derivative instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivative instruments that are designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and linking cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions or variability of cash flow.
The Company also assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the designated derivative instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair values of hedged items. When a derivative instrument is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively in accordance with the derecognition criteria for hedge accounting.
Commodity Futures Contracts
Copper and brass represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production. The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control. The Company occasionally enters into forward fixed-price arrangements with certain customers; the risk of these arrangements is generally managed with commodity futures contracts. These futures contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges.
At September 26, 2020, the Company held open futures contracts to purchase approximately $7.0 million of copper over the next 15 months related to fixed price sales orders. The fair value of those futures contracts was a $0.7 million net gain position, which was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (level 1 within the fair value hierarchy). In the next 12 months, the Company will reclassify into earnings realized gains or losses relating to cash flow hedges. At September 26, 2020, this amount was approximately $0.5 million of deferred net gains, net of tax.
The Company may also enter into futures contracts to protect the value of inventory against market fluctuations. At September 26, 2020, the Company held open futures contracts to sell approximately $0.6 million of copper over the next six months related to copper inventory. The fair value of those futures contracts was a $35 thousand net gain position, which was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (level 1 within the fair value hierarchy).
The Company presents its derivative assets and liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis by counterparty. The following table summarizes the location and fair value of the derivative instruments and disaggregates the net derivative assets and liabilities into gross components on a contract-by-contract basis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liability Derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Balance Sheet Location
|
|
September 26,
2020
|
|
December 28,
2019
|
|
Balance Sheet Location
|
|
September 26,
2020
|
|
December 28,
2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity contracts - gains
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
$
|
791
|
|
|
$
|
1,435
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
Commodity contracts - losses
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
(18)
|
|
|
(12)
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
—
|
|
|
(159)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivatives (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
773
|
|
|
$
|
1,423
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(109)
|
|
(1) Does not include the impact of cash collateral provided to counterparties.
The following tables summarize the effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Location
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undesignated derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) on commodity contracts (nonqualifying)
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
843
|
|
|
(467)
|
|
|
(3,596)
|
|
|
1,425
|
|
The following tables summarize amounts recognized in and reclassified from AOCI during the period:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
Classification Gains (Losses)
|
|
Gain Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity contracts
|
|
$
|
337
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
$
|
(180)
|
|
Other
|
|
(6)
|
|
|
Other
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
331
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(180)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Gain Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
Classification Gains (Losses)
|
|
Gain Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity contracts
|
|
$
|
130
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
$
|
(332)
|
|
Other
|
|
8
|
|
|
Other
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
138
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(333)
|
|
Changes recognized in and reclassified from AOCI (continued):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
(Loss) Gain Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
Classification Gains (Losses)
|
|
Loss Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity contracts
|
|
$
|
(5,084)
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
$
|
5,273
|
|
Other
|
|
2
|
|
|
Other
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(5,082)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5,274
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Gain Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
Classification Gains (Losses)
|
|
Gain Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity contracts
|
|
$
|
749
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
$
|
(629)
|
|
Other
|
|
14
|
|
|
Other
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
763
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(630)
|
|
The Company primarily enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association master netting agreements with major financial institutions that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the Company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable for contracts due on the same date and in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions. The master netting agreements generally also provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event. The Company does not offset fair value amounts for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral. At September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the amount of restricted cash recorded in other current assets as collateral related to open derivative contracts under the master netting arrangements was immaterial.
Long-Term Debt
The fair value of long-term debt at September 26, 2020 approximates the carrying value on that date. The estimated fair values were determined based on quoted market prices and the current rates offered for debt with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of long-term debt is classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. This classification is defined as a fair value determined using market-based inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the liability, either directly or indirectly.
Note 8 – Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Tecumseh
The Company owns a 50 percent interest in an unconsolidated affiliate that acquired Tecumseh Products Company LLC (Tecumseh). The Company also owns a 50 percent interest in a second unconsolidated affiliate that provides financing to Tecumseh. These investments are recorded using the equity method of accounting, as the Company can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control the respective entities. Under the equity method of accounting, these investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and the Company’s proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions.
The Company records its proportionate share of the investees’ net income or loss, net of foreign taxes, one quarter in arrears as income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and its proportionate share of the investees’ other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The U.S. tax effect of the Company’s proportionate share of Tecumseh’s income or loss is recorded in income tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In general, the equity investment in unconsolidated affiliates is equal to the current equity investment plus the investees’ net accumulated losses.
The following tables present summarized financial information derived from the Company’s equity method investees’ combined consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
September 26,
2020
|
|
December 28,
2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$
|
177,121
|
|
|
$
|
198,559
|
|
Noncurrent assets
|
|
79,310
|
|
|
87,218
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
151,298
|
|
|
147,801
|
|
Noncurrent liabilities
|
|
50,783
|
|
|
51,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
73,850
|
|
|
$
|
129,589
|
|
|
$
|
284,398
|
|
|
$
|
362,978
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
7,565
|
|
|
17,006
|
|
|
32,073
|
|
|
40,339
|
|
Net loss
|
|
(10,916)
|
|
|
(3,952)
|
|
|
(40,883)
|
|
|
(43,671)
|
|
The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarter and nine months ended September 26, 2020 included net losses of $5.5 million and $20.4 million, respectively, for Tecumseh.
The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarter and nine months ended September 28, 2019 included net losses of $1.9 million and $21.8 million, respectively, for Tecumseh.
Mueller Middle East
On December 30, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Cayan Ventures and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company to build a copper tube mill in Bahrain. The business operates and brands its products under the Mueller Industries family of brands. The Company has invested approximately $5.0 million of cash to date and is the technical and marketing lead with a 40 percent ownership in the joint venture.
The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the nine months ended September 26, 2020 included net income of $0.2 million for Mueller Middle East.
The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarter and nine months ended September 28, 2019 included net losses of $0.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for Mueller Middle East.
Note 9 – Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees. The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension benefits:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
$
|
862
|
|
|
$
|
1,455
|
|
|
$
|
2,586
|
|
|
$
|
4,365
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
(1,496)
|
|
|
(2,077)
|
|
|
(4,486)
|
|
|
(6,230)
|
|
Amortization of net loss
|
|
494
|
|
|
485
|
|
|
1,482
|
|
|
1,455
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit income
|
|
$
|
(140)
|
|
|
$
|
(137)
|
|
|
$
|
(418)
|
|
|
$
|
(410)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other benefits:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
|
$
|
59
|
|
|
$
|
64
|
|
|
$
|
176
|
|
|
$
|
191
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
106
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
321
|
|
|
459
|
|
Amortization of prior service credit
|
|
(117)
|
|
|
(226)
|
|
|
(401)
|
|
|
(677)
|
|
Amortization of net gain
|
|
(50)
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
|
(150)
|
|
|
(31)
|
|
Curtailment gain
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
(2,591)
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit income
|
|
$
|
(2)
|
|
|
$
|
(19)
|
|
|
$
|
(2,645)
|
|
|
$
|
(58)
|
|
The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) other than the service cost component are included in other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company may also realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Environmental
Non-operating Properties
Southeast Kansas Sites
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has contacted the Company regarding environmental contamination at three former smelter sites in Kansas (Altoona, East La Harpe, and Lanyon). The Company is not a successor to the companies that operated these smelter sites, but is exploring possible settlement with KDHE and other potentially responsible parties (PRP) in order to avoid litigation.
Altoona. Another PRP conducted a site investigation of the Altoona site under a consent decree with KDHE and submitted a removal site evaluation report recommending a remedy. The remedial design plan, which covers both on-site and certain off-site cleanup costs, was approved by the KDHE in 2016. Construction of the remedy was completed in 2018.
East La Harpe. At the East La Harpe site, the Company and two other PRPs conducted a site study evaluation under KDHE supervision and prepared a site cleanup plan approved by KDHE. In 2016, the corporate parent (Peabody Energy) of a third party that the Company understands may owe indemnification obligations to one of the other PRPs (Blue Tee) in connection with the East La Harpe site filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. KDHE has extended the deadline for the PRPs to develop a repository design plan to allow for wetlands permitting to take place. In December 2018,
KDHE provided a draft agreement which contemplates the use of funds KDHE obtained from two other parties (Peabody Energy and Blue Tee) to fund part of the remediation, and removes Blue Tee from the PRPs’ agreement with KDHE. The Company is currently negotiating the terms of that draft agreement.
Lanyon. With respect to the Lanyon Site, in 2016, the Company received a general notice letter from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserting that the Company is a PRP, which the Company has denied. EPA issued an interim record of decision in 2017 and has been remediating properties at the site.
The Company’s reserve for its proportionate share of the remediation costs associated with these three Southeast Kansas sites is $5.6 million.
Shasta Area Mine Sites
Mining Remedial Recovery Company (MRRC), a wholly owned subsidiary, owns certain inactive mines in Shasta County, California. MRRC has continued a program, begun in the late 1980s, of implementing various remedial measures, including sealing mine portals with concrete plugs in portals that were discharging water. The sealing program achieved significant reductions in the metal load in discharges from these adits; however, additional reductions are required pursuant to an order issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (QCB). In response to a 1996 QCB Order, MRRC completed a feasibility study in 1997 describing measures designed to mitigate the effects of acid rock drainage. In December 1998, the QCB modified the 1996 order extending MRRC’s time to comply with water quality standards. In September 2002, the QCB adopted a new order requiring MRRC to adopt Best Management Practices (BMP) to control discharges of acid mine drainage, and again extended the time to comply with water quality standards until September 2007. During that time, implementation of BMP further reduced impacts of acid rock drainage; however, full compliance has not been achieved. The QCB is presently renewing MRRC’s discharge permit and will concurrently issue a new order. It is expected that the new 10-year permit will include an order requiring continued implementation of BMP through 2030 to address residual discharges of acid rock drainage. The Company currently estimates that it will spend between approximately $12.7 million and $17.7 million for remediation at these sites over the next 30 years and has accrued a reserve at the low end of this range.
Lead Refinery Site
U.S.S. Lead Refinery, Inc. (Lead Refinery), a non-operating wholly owned subsidiary of MRRC, has conducted corrective action and interim remedial activities (collectively, Site Activities) at Lead Refinery’s East Chicago, Indiana site pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act since December 1996. Although the Site Activities have been substantially concluded, Lead Refinery is required to perform monitoring and maintenance-related activities pursuant to a post-closure permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management effective as of March 2, 2013. Approximate costs to comply with the post-closure permit, including associated general and administrative costs, are estimated at between $1.8 million and $2.3 million over the next 17 years. The Company has recorded a reserve at the low end of this range.
On April 9, 2009, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added the Lead Refinery site and surrounding properties to the National Priorities List (NPL). On July 17, 2009, Lead Refinery received a written notice from the EPA indicating that it may be a PRP under CERCLA due to the release or threat of release of hazardous substances including lead into properties surrounding the Lead Refinery NPL site. The EPA identified two other PRPs in connection with that matter. In November 2012, the EPA adopted a remedy for the surrounding properties and in September 2014, the EPA announced that it had entered into a settlement with the two other PRPs whereby they will pay approximately $26.0 million to fund the cleanup of approximately 300 properties surrounding the Lead Refinery NPL site (zones 1 and 3 of operable unit 1) and perform certain remedial action tasks.
On November 8, 2016, the Company, its subsidiary Arava Natural Resources Company, Inc. (Arava), and Arava’s subsidiary MRRC each received general notice letters from the EPA asserting that they may be PRPs in connection with the Lead Refinery NPL site. The Company, Arava, and MRRC have denied liability for any remedial action and response costs associated with the Lead Refinery NPL site. In June 2017, the EPA requested that Lead Refinery conduct, and the Company fund, a remedial investigation and feasibility study of operable unit 2 of the Lead Refinery NPL site pursuant to a proposed administrative settlement agreement and order on consent. The Company and Lead Refinery entered into that agreement in September 2017. The Company has made a capital contribution to Lead Refinery to conduct the remedial investigation and feasibility study with respect to operable unit 2 and has provided financial assurance in the amount of $1.0 million. The EPA has also asserted its position that Mueller is a responsible party for the Lead Refinery NPL site, and accordingly is responsible for a share of remedial action and response costs at the site and in the adjacent residential area.
In January 2018, the EPA issued two unilateral administrative orders (UAOs) directing the Company, Lead Refinery, and four other PRPs to conduct soil and interior remediation of certain residences at the Lead Refinery NPL site (zones 2 and 3 of operable unit 1). The Company and Lead Refinery have reached agreement with the four other PRPs to implement these two UAOs, with the Company agreeing to pay, on an interim basis, (i) an estimated $4.5 million (subject to potential change through a future reallocation process) of the approximately $25.0 million the PRPs currently estimate it will cost to implement the UAOs, which estimate is subject to change, and (ii) $2.0 million relating to past costs incurred by other PRPs for work conducted at the site, as well as the possibility of up to $0.7 million in further payments for ongoing work by those PRPs, $0.4 million of which has been incurred by those PRPs and paid for by the Company to date. As of September 26, 2020, the Company has made payments of approximately $7.1 million related to the aforementioned agreement with the other PRPs. The Company disputes that it was properly named in the UAOs, and has reserved its rights to petition the EPA for reimbursement of any costs incurred to comply with the UAOs upon the completion of the work required therein. In October 2017, a group of private plaintiffs sued the Company, Arava, MRRC, and Lead Refinery, along with other defendants, in a private tort action relating to the site; the Company, Arava, and MRRC were voluntarily dismissed from that litigation without prejudice in March 2018. A second civil action asserting similar claims was filed against the Company, Arava, MRRC, and Lead Refinery in September 2018. At this juncture, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of a material adverse outcome or the amount or range of a potential loss in excess of the current reserve with respect to any remedial action or litigation relating to the Lead Refinery NPL site, either at Lead Refinery’s former operating site (operable unit 2) or the adjacent residential area (operable unit 1), including, but not limited to, EPA oversight costs for which EPA may attempt to seek reimbursement from the Company, and past costs for which other PRPs may attempt to seek contribution from the Company.
Bonita Peak Mining District
Following an August 2015 spill from the Gold King Mine into the Animas River near Silverton, Colorado, the EPA listed the Bonita Peak Mining District on the NPL. Said listing was finalized in September 2016. The Bonita Peak Mining District encompasses 48 mining sites within the Animas River watershed, including the Sunnyside Mine, the American Tunnel, and the Sunbank Group. On or about July 25, 2017, Washington Mining Company (Washington Mining) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Arava), received a general notice letter from the EPA stating that Washington Mining may be a PRP under CERCLA in connection with the Bonita Peak Mining District site and therefore responsible for the remediation of certain portions of the site, along with related costs incurred by the EPA. Shortly thereafter, the Company received a substantively identical letter asserting that it may be a PRP at the site and similarly responsible for the cleanup of certain portions of the site. The general notice letters identify one other PRP at the site, and do not require specific action by Washington Mining or the Company at this time. At this juncture, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of a materially adverse outcome or the amount or range of a potential loss with respect to any remedial action related to the Bonita Peak Mining District NPL site.
Operating Properties
Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc.
In 1999, Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc. (MCTP), a wholly owned subsidiary, commenced a cleanup and remediation of soil and groundwater at its Wynne, Arkansas plant to remove trichloroethylene, a cleaning solvent formerly used by MCTP. On August 30, 2000, MCTP received approval of its Final Comprehensive Investigation Report and Storm Water Drainage Investigation Report addressing the treatment of soils and groundwater from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The Company established a reserve for this project in connection with the acquisition of MCTP in 1998. Effective November 17, 2008, MCTP entered into a Settlement Agreement and Administrative Order by Consent to submit a Supplemental Investigation Work Plan (SIWP) and subsequent Final Remediation Work Plan (RWP) for the site. By letter dated January 20, 2010, ADEQ approved the SIWP as submitted, with changes acceptable to the Company. On December 16, 2011, MCTP entered into an amended Administrative Order by Consent to prepare and implement a revised RWP regarding final remediation for the Site. The remediation system was activated in February 2014. Costs to implement the work plans, including associated general and administrative costs, are estimated to approximate $0.6 million to $0.9 million over the next six years.
United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review
On December 24, 2008, the Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico for the November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008 period of review. The DOC selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent in the review. On April 19, 2010, the DOC published the final results of the review and assigned Mueller Comercial an antidumping duty rate of 48.33 percent. On May 25, 2010, the Company appealed the final results to the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT). On December 16,
2011, the CIT issued a decision remanding the Department’s final results. While the matter was still pending, the Company and the United States reached an agreement to settle the appeal. Subject to the conditions of the agreement, the Company anticipated that certain of its subsidiaries would incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve for this matter. After the lapse of the statutory period of time during which U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was required, but failed, to liquidate the entries at the settled rate, the Company released the reserve. Between October 30, 2015 and November 27, 2015, CBP sent a series of invoices to Southland Pipe Nipples Co., Inc. (Southland), requesting payment of approximately $3.0 million in duties and interest in connection with 795 import entries made during the November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008 period. On January 26, 2016 and January 27, 2016, Southland filed protests with CBP in connection with these invoices, noting that CBP’s asserted claims were not made in accordance with applicable law, including statutory provisions governing deemed liquidation. The Company believes in the merits of the legal objections raised in Southland’s protests, and CBP’s response to Southland’s protests is currently pending. Given the procedural posture and issues raised by this legal dispute, the Company cannot estimate the amount of potential duty liability, if any, that may result from CBP’s asserted claims.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Matter
On October 5, 2016, the Company received a demand letter from the Los Angeles District Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC alleged that between May 2011 and April 2015, various Company employees were terminated in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that certain of the Company’s employee leave and attendance policies were discriminatory in nature. Thereafter, the Company, in consultation with its liability insurers, entered into conciliation and mediation efforts with the EEOC for purposes of resolving the claims. At the conclusion of those efforts, the Company and the EEOC reached agreement on a consensual resolution of the EEOC’s claims, which includes both monetary and equitable relief.
On June 28, 2018, the EEOC filed a complaint against the Company on behalf of a group of unidentified claimants in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging that the Company engaged in unlawful employment practices in violation of the ADA. On July 13, 2018, the District Court approved a Consent Decree between the Company and the EEOC to resolve the EEOC’s claims. The Consent Decree, the term of which shall be two and a half years, provides that the Company shall pay up to $1.0 million in monetary relief to fund individual claims for discrimination under the ADA as approved by the EEOC. That amount is fully within the limits of the Company’s applicable insurance coverage. Pursuant to the Consent Decree, the Company shall also take a series of proactive measures to cultivate a work environment free from unlawful discrimination. Those measures include, among others, assistance with the identification of potential claimants, employee, supervisory and managerial training regarding employee rights under the ADA, revised practices and procedures concerning reasonable workplace accommodations as required by the ADA, and related reporting and recordkeeping.
Deepwater Horizon Economic and Property Damage Claim
On February 12, 2020, Mueller Copper Tube Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, collected approximately $21.9 million related to its claim under the Deepwater Horizon Economic and Property Damage Settlement Program, which as previously reported by the Company, was originally approved in November 2018, subject to appeal. The collected amount represents settlement proceeds received after the payment of fees and expenses.
Guarantees
Guarantees, in the form of letters of credit, are issued by the Company generally to assure the payment of insurance deductibles, certain retiree health benefits, and debt at certain unconsolidated affiliates. The terms of the guarantees are generally one year but are renewable annually as required. These letters are primarily backed by the Company’s revolving credit facility. The maximum payments that the Company could be required to make under its guarantees at September 26, 2020 were $19.5 million.
Note 11 – Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2020 was 24 percent compared with 19 percent for the same period last year. The primary items impacting the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2020 were the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $1.4 million, and other items totaling $0.4 million.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2019 was 19 percent. The items impacting the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2019 were primarily attributable to benefits of $1.0 million related to the one-time transition tax on the
accumulated earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries and $0.8 million related to other items. These were partially offset by the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $1.0 million.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2020 was 25 percent compared with 22 percent for the same period last year. The items impacting the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2020 were primarily attributable to the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $4.8 million, the effect of foreign tax rates higher than statutory tax rates of $1.7 million, and $0.6 million of other items.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2019 was 22 percent. The items impacting the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2019 were primarily attributable to the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $3.3 million, which was partially offset by the recognition of a $1.6 million benefit related to an increased tax loss on the sale of a foreign subsidiary in a prior period, a reduction of $0.6 million related to the one-time transition tax on the accumulated earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, and $0.3 million of other items.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and numerous consolidated and separate-company income tax returns in many state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations is open for the Company’s federal tax return and most state income tax returns for 2015 and all subsequent years, and is open for certain state and foreign returns for earlier tax years due to ongoing audits and differing statute periods. The Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the Company’s 2015 and 2017 federal consolidated returns. While the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for possible future audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined with certainty and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.
Note 12 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI includes certain foreign currency translation adjustments from those subsidiaries not using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, net deferred gains and losses on certain derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges, adjustments to pension and OPEB liabilities, and other comprehensive income attributable to unconsolidated affiliates.
The following tables provide changes in AOCI by component, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests (amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
|
|
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
|
|
Pension/OPEB Liability Adjustment
|
|
Attributable to Unconsol. Affiliates
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 28, 2019
|
|
$
|
(46,198)
|
|
|
$
|
476
|
|
|
$
|
(21,855)
|
|
|
$
|
(1,193)
|
|
|
$
|
(68,770)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
|
|
(11,254)
|
|
|
(5,082)
|
|
|
(1,468)
|
|
|
(564)
|
|
|
(18,368)
|
|
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,274
|
|
|
753
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net current-period other comprehensive loss
|
|
(11,254)
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
(715)
|
|
|
(564)
|
|
|
(12,341)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 26, 2020
|
|
$
|
(57,452)
|
|
|
$
|
668
|
|
|
$
|
(22,570)
|
|
|
$
|
(1,757)
|
|
|
$
|
(81,111)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
|
|
Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Derivatives
|
|
Pension/OPEB Liability Adjustment
|
|
Attributable to Unconsol. Affiliates
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 29, 2018
|
|
$
|
(54,257)
|
|
|
$
|
(214)
|
|
|
$
|
(24,967)
|
|
|
$
|
(354)
|
|
|
$
|
(79,792)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
|
|
(2,199)
|
|
|
763
|
|
|
587
|
|
|
828
|
|
|
(21)
|
|
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
|
|
—
|
|
|
(630)
|
|
|
620
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income
|
|
(2,199)
|
|
|
133
|
|
|
1,207
|
|
|
828
|
|
|
(31)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 28, 2019
|
|
$
|
(56,456)
|
|
|
$
|
(81)
|
|
|
$
|
(23,760)
|
|
|
$
|
474
|
|
|
$
|
(79,823)
|
|
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount reclassified from AOCI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
September 26, 2020
|
|
September 28, 2019
|
|
Affected line item
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative commodity contracts
|
|
$
|
(248)
|
|
|
$
|
(394)
|
|
|
$
|
6,581
|
|
|
$
|
(764)
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
(1,307)
|
|
|
134
|
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(180)
|
|
|
$
|
(333)
|
|
|
$
|
5,274
|
|
|
$
|
(630)
|
|
|
Net of tax and noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost on employee benefit plans
|
|
$
|
327
|
|
|
$
|
249
|
|
|
$
|
931
|
|
|
$
|
747
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
(63)
|
|
|
(42)
|
|
|
(178)
|
|
|
(127)
|
|
|
Income tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
264
|
|
|
$
|
207
|
|
|
$
|
753
|
|
|
$
|
620
|
|
|
Net of tax and noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|