10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File No. 001-12561

BELDEN INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                Delaware 36-3601505
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)

1 North Brentwood Boulevard

15th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(314) 854-8000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

      Name of Each Exchange

Title of Each Class

   

on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value The New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

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

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 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).    Yes  þ  No  ¨.

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 12b2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  þ     Accelerated filer  ¨            Non-accelerated filer  ¨        Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

At June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of Common Stock of Belden Inc. held by non-affiliates was $2,984,203,300 based on the closing price ($78.83) of such stock on such date.

There were 42,517,178 shares of registrant’s Common Stock outstanding on February 17, 2015.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant intends to file a definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (the “Proxy Statement”). Portions of such proxy statement are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Form 10-K

Item No.

 

Name of Item

   Page  

Part I

    

Item 1.

  Business      2   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      10   

Item 1B.

  Unresolved Staff Comments      16   

Item 2.

  Properties      16   

Item 3.

Item 4.

 

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

    

 

17

17

  

  

Part II

    

Item 5.

  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters      18   

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data      20   

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      21   

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      40   

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      43   

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      96   

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures      96   

Item 9B.

  Other Information      98   

Part III

    

Item 10.

  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      98   

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation      98   

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters      98   

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      98   

Item 14.

  Principal Accountant Fees and Services      98   

Part IV.

    

Item 15.

  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      99   
  Signatures      103   
  Index to Exhibits      104   


Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Belden Inc. (the Company, Belden, we, us, or our) is an innovative signal transmission solutions provider. Belden’s comprehensive portfolio of signal transmission solutions provides industry leading secure and reliable transmission of data, sound, and video for mission critical applications. We sell our products to distributors, end-users, installers, and directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Belden is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1988.

In 2013, we re-organized the Company around four global business platforms: Broadcast Solutions, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions, Industrial Connectivity Solutions, and Industrial IT Solutions. Previously, we were organized around geographic regions. The re-organization was executed as a result of our transformation from a regional cable company into a global provider of comprehensive signal transmission solutions. We believe the new organization allows us to better capitalize on market opportunities and meet customer demands. We have determined each of the global business platforms represents a reportable segment. Financial information about our segments appears in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As used herein, unless an operating segment is identified or the context otherwise requires, “Belden,” the “Company”, and “we” refer to Belden Inc. and its subsidiaries as a whole.

Strategy and Business Model

Our business model is designed to generate shareholder value:

 

   

Operational Excellence—The core of our business model is operational excellence and the execution of our Belden Business System. The Belden Business System has three areas of focus. First, we demonstrate a commitment to Lean enterprise initiatives, which improve not only the quality and efficiency of the manufacturing environment, but our business processes on a company-wide basis. Second, we utilize our Market Delivery System (MDS), a go-to-market model that provides the foundation for organic growth. We believe that organic growth, resulting from both market growth and share capture, is essential to our success. Finally, our Talent Management System supports the development of our associates at all levels, which preserves the culture necessary to operate our business consistently and sustainably.

 

   

Cash Generation—Our strive for operational excellence results in the generation of significant cash flow. We generated cash flows from operating activities of $194.0 million, $164.6 million, and $139.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

   

Portfolio Improvement—We utilize the cash flow generated by our business to fuel our continued transformation and generate shareholder value. We continuously improve our portfolio to ensure we provide the most complete, end-to-end solutions to our customers. Our portfolio is designed with balance across end markets and geographies to ensure we can meet our goals in all economic environments. We have a disciplined acquisition cultivation and integration system that allows us to invest in outstanding companies that strengthen our capabilities and enhance our ability to serve our customers.

 

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Segments

We operate our business under the following segments:

 

     Percentage of Consolidated Revenues  
     2014     2013     2012  

Broadcast Solutions

     39.7     32.1     19.4

Enterprise Connectivity Solutions

     19.7     23.8     27.0

Industrial Connectivity Solutions

     29.6     32.9     36.4

Industrial IT Solutions

     11.0     11.2     11.9

All Other

     0.0     0.0     5.3

Broadcast

The Broadcast Solutions (Broadcast) segment provides production, distribution, and connectivity systems for television broadcast, cable, satellite, and IPTV industries. We target end-use customers in markets such as outside broadcast, sport venues, broadcast studios, and cable, broadband, satellite, and telecommunications service providers. Our products are used in a variety of applications, including live production signal management, program playout for broadcasters, monitoring for pay-TV operators, and broadband connectivity. Broadcast products and solutions include camera mounted fiber solutions, interfaces and routers, broadcast and audio-visual cable solutions, monitoring systems, playout systems, outside plant connectivity products, and other cable and connectivity products.

Our hardware and software solutions for the broadcast infrastructure industry span the full breadth of television operations, including production, playout, and delivery. For the broadband distribution industry, we manufacture flexible, copper-clad coaxial cable and associated connector products for the high-speed transmission of data, sound, and video (broadband) that are used for the “drop” section of cable television (CATV) systems and satellite direct broadcast systems. Our connectivity solutions include several major product categories: coax connector products that allow for connections from the provider network to the subscribers’ devices; hardline connectors that allow service providers to distribute their services within a city, a town, or a neighborhood; entry devices that serve to manage and remove network signal noise that could impair performance for the subscriber; and traps and filtering devices that allow service providers to control the signals that are transmitted to the subscriber. The Broadcast segment also manufactures a variety of multiconductor and coaxial cable and connector products, which distribute audio and video signals for use in broadcast television including digital television and high definition television, broadcast radio, pre- and post-production facilities, recording studios, and public facilities such as casinos, arenas, and stadiums. Our audio/video cables are also used in connection with microphones, musical instruments, audio mixing consoles, effects equipment, speakers, paging systems, and consumer audio products. We also provide specialized cables for security applications such as video surveillance systems, airport baggage screening, building access control, motion detection, public address systems, and advanced fire alarm systems.

Broadcast products are sold through a variety of channels, including: broadcast specialty distributors; audio systems installers; directly to music OEMs and the major television networks including ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC; directly to broadband service providers, including Comcast, DirectTV, and Time Warner; directly to specialty system integrators; and other distributors.

Enterprise

The Enterprise Connectivity Solutions (Enterprise) segment provides network infrastructure solutions for enterprise customers. We serve customers in markets such as data hosting, healthcare, education, financial, and government. Our products are used in applications such as data centers, local area networks, access control, and building automation. Enterprise provides true end-to-end copper and fiber network systems to include cable, assemblies, interconnect panels, and enclosures. Our high-performance solutions support all networking protocols to include 100G+ Ethernet technologies. Enterprise products also include intelligent power, cooling, and airflow management hardware and software for mission-critical data center operations. The Enterprise product portfolio is designed to support the increased use of wireless communications and cloud-based data centers by our customers.

 

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Our systems are installed through a network of highly trained system integrators and are supplied through authorized distributors.

Industrial Connectivity

The Industrial Connectivity Solutions (Industrial Connectivity) segment provides infrastructure components and connectivity systems for a wide range of industrial automation applications. We target end-use customers in markets such as automotive production, machine building, power generation, transportation, and oil and gas. Our products are used in applications such as network and fieldbus infrastructure; sensor and actuator connectivity; and power, control, and data transmission. Industrial Connectivity products include solutions such as industrial and input/output (I/O) connectors, industrial cables, IP and networking cables, I/O modules, distribution boxes, customer specific wiring solutions, and load-moment indicator systems as well as controllers and sensors for the mobile crane market.

Our industrial cable products are used in discrete manufacturing and process operations involving the connection of computers, programmable controllers, robots, operator interfaces, motor drives, sensors, printers, and other devices. Many industrial environments, such as petrochemical and other harsh-environment operations, require cables with exterior armor or jacketing that can endure physical abuse and exposure to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and outside elements. Other applications require conductors, insulating, and jacketing materials that can withstand repeated flexing. In addition to cable product configurations for these applications, we supply heat-shrinkable tubing and wire management products to protect and organize wire and cable assemblies. Our industrial connector products are primarily used as sensor and actuator connections in factory automation supporting various fieldbus protocols as well as power connections in building automation. These products are used both as components of manufacturing equipment and in the installation and networking of such equipment.

Industrial Connectivity products are sold directly to industrial equipment OEMs and through a network of industrial distributors, value-added resellers, and system integrators.

Industrial IT

The Industrial IT segment provides mission-critical networking systems that provide the end-users with the highest confidence of reliability, availability, and security. We target end-use customers in markets such as energy, automotive, transportation systems, and automation suppliers, and our products are used in such applications as network infrastructure, wireless, and security. Industrial IT products include security devices, Ethernet switches and related equipment, routers and gateways, network management software, and wireless systems. Our industrial Ethernet switches and related equipment can be both rail-mounted and rack-mounted, and are used for factory automation, power generation and distribution, process automation, and large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges, wind farms, and airport runways. Rail-mounted switches are designed to withstand harsh conditions including electronic interference and mechanical stresses. The Industrial IT product portfolio supports the continued deployment of industrial Ethernet technology throughout industrial manufacturing processes.

Industrial IT products are sold directly to end-use customers, directly to OEMs, and through distributors.

All Other

The All Other segment represents the financial results of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market, which we sold in December 2012.

See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our segments.

 

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Acquisitions

A key part of our business strategy includes acquiring companies to support our growth and product portfolio. Our acquisition strategy is based upon targeting leading companies that offer innovative products and strong brands. We utilize a disciplined approach to acquisitions based on product and market opportunities. When we identify acquisition candidates, we conduct rigorous financial analysis to make certain that they meet both our strategic plans and our goals for return on invested capital.

We have completed a number of acquisitions in recent years as part of this strategy. Most recently, on January 2, 2015, we acquired Tripwire, Inc., a leading global provider of advanced threat, security, and compliance solutions. Tripwire’s solutions enable enterprises, service providers, manufacturers, and government agencies to confidently detect, prevent, and respond to growing security threats, and expands our networking and security portfolio.

In November 2014, we acquired Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC (Coast), a leading manufacturer of custom wire and cable solutions used in high-end medical device, military and defense, and industrial applications. In June 2014, we acquired ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft), a leading manufacturer of industrial networking products that translate between disparate automation systems, including the various protocols used by different automation vendors. In March 2014, we acquired Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l., (collectively, Grass Valley), a leading provider of innovative technologies for the broadcast industry, including production switchers, cameras, servers, and editing solutions.

In 2013, we acquired Softel Limited (Softel), a key technology supplier to the media sector with a portfolio of technologies well aligned with broadcast industry trends and growing demand.

In 2012, we acquired PPC Broadband, Inc. (PPC), a leading manufacturer and developer of advanced connectivity technologies for the broadband market, and Miranda Technologies Inc. (Miranda), a leading provider of hardware and software solutions for the broadcast infrastructure industry. The acquisitions of PPC and Miranda represented a significant expansion of our broadcast portfolio, and our annual Broadcast segment revenues more than doubled as a result.

For more information regarding these transactions, see Notes 3 and 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Customers

We sell to distributors, OEMs, installers, and end-users. Sales to the distributor Anixter International Inc. represented approximately 13% of our consolidated revenues in 2014. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues in 2014.

We have supply agreements with distributors and OEM customers. In general, our customers are not contractually obligated to buy our products exclusively, in minimum amounts, or for a significant period of time. We believe that our relationships with our customers and distributors are good and that they choose Belden products, among other reasons, as a result of our reputation, the breadth of our product portfolio, the quality and performance characteristics of our products, and our customer service and technical support.

International Operations

In addition to manufacturing facilities in the United States (U.S.), we have manufacturing and other operating facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, and St. Kitts, as well as in various countries in Europe. During 2014, approximately 51% of Belden’s sales were to customers outside the U.S. Our primary channels to international markets include both distributors and direct sales to end users and OEMs.

 

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Financial information for Belden by country is shown in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Competition

We face substantial competition in our major markets. The number and size of our competitors vary depending on the product line and segment. Some multinational competitors have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing resources than we have. There are also many regional competitors that have more limited product offerings.

The broadcast, enterprise, and industrial markets in which we operate can be generally categorized as highly competitive with many players. In order to maximize our competitive advantages, we manage our product portfolio to capitalize on secular trends and high-growth applications in those markets.

The principal competitive factors in all our product markets are technical features, quality, availability, price, customer support, and distribution coverage. The relative importance of each of these factors varies depending on the customer. Some products are manufactured to meet published industry specifications and are less differentiated on the basis of product characteristics. We believe that Belden stands out in many of its markets on the basis of our reputation, the breadth of our product portfolio, the quality and performance characteristics of our products, our customer service, and our technical support.

Research and Development

We conduct research and development on an ongoing basis, including new and existing product development, testing and analysis, and process and equipment development and testing. See the Consolidated Statements of Operations for amounts incurred for research and development.

Many of the markets we serve are characterized by advances in information processing and communications capabilities, including advances driven by the expansion of digital technology, which require increased transmission speeds and greater bandwidth. Our markets are also subject to increasing requirements for mobility, information security, and transmission reliability. The relative costs and merits of copper and fiber optic based infrastructure solutions could change in the future as various competing technologies address the market opportunities. We believe that our future success will depend in part upon our ability to enhance existing products and to develop and manufacture new products that meet or anticipate such changes in our served markets.

Fiber optic technology presents a potential substitute for certain of the copper-based products that comprise a portion of our revenues. Fiber optic cables have certain advantages over copper-based cables in applications where large amounts of information must travel significant distances and where high levels of information security are required. While the cost to interface electronic and optical light signals and to terminate and connect optical fiber remains comparatively high, we expect that in future years the cost difference will diminish. We sell fiber optic infrastructure, and many customers specify these products in combination with copper-based infrastructure.

The final stage of most networks remains almost exclusively copper-based, and we expect that it will continue to be copper for the foreseeable future. However, if a significant decrease in the cost of fiber optic systems relative to the cost of copper-based systems were to occur, such systems could become superior on a price/performance basis to copper-based systems. Part of our research and development efforts focus on expanding our fiber-optic based product portfolio.

In the industrial networking market, there is a growing trend toward adoption of industrial Ethernet technology, bringing to the critical infrastructure the advantages of digital communication and the ability to network devices made by different manufacturers and integrating them with enterprise systems. While the adoption of this technology is at a more advanced stage in certain regions of the world, we believe that the trend will globalize. This trend will also lead to a rising need for wireless systems for some applications and for cybersecurity to protect this critical infrastructure.

 

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In the broadcast market, the trend towards increasingly complex broadcast production, management, and distribution environments continues to evolve. Our end-use customers need to increase efficiency and enhance workflow through systems and infrastructure. Our broadcast products allow content producers, broadcasters, and service providers to manage the increasingly complex broadcast signals throughout their operations.

In order to support the demand for additional bandwidth and to improve service integrity, broadband service providers are investing in their networks to enhance delivery capabilities to customers for the foreseeable future. Additional bandwidth requirements as a result of increased traffic expose weak points in the network, which are often connectivity related, causing broadband service operators to improve and upgrade residential networks with higher performing connectivity products.

Patents and Trademarks

We have a policy of seeking patents when appropriate on inventions concerning new products, product improvements, and advances in equipment and processes as part of our ongoing research, development, and manufacturing activities. We own many patents and registered trademarks worldwide that are used by our operating segments, with pending applications for numerous others. While we consider our patents and trademarks to be valuable assets, we do not believe that our competitive position is dependent on patent or trademark protection or that our operations are dependent on any individual patent or trademark. Our most prominent trademarks are: Belden®, Alpha Wire™, Mohawk®, West Penn Wire™, Hirschmann®, Lumberg Automation™, SignalTight®, GarrettCom®, Poliron™, Tofino®, PPC®, Grass Valley®, ProSoft Technology®, and Tripwire®.

Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in many of our cable products is copper. Other materials we purchase in large quantities include fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, aluminum-clad steel and copper-clad steel conductors, aluminum, brass, other metals, optical fiber, printed circuit boards, and electronic components. With respect to all major raw materials used by us, we generally have either alternative sources of supply or access to alternative materials. Supplies of these materials are generally adequate and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Over the past three years, the prices of metals, particularly copper, have been highly volatile. The chart below illustrates the high and low spot prices per pound of copper over the last three years.

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Copper spot prices per pound

        

High

   $ 3.43       $ 3.78       $ 3.97   

Low

   $ 2.54       $ 3.03       $ 3.28   

Prices for materials such as PVC and other plastics derived from petrochemical feedstocks have also fluctuated. Since Belden utilizes the first in, first out (FIFO) inventory costing methodology, the impact of copper and other raw material cost changes on our cost of goods sold is delayed by approximately two months based on our inventory turns.

While we generally are able to adjust our pricing for fluctuations in commodity prices, we can experience short-term favorable or unfavorable variances. When the cost of raw materials increases, we are generally able to recover these costs through higher pricing of our finished products. The majority of our products are sold through distribution, and we manage the pricing of these products through published price lists, which we update from time to time, with new prices typically taking effect a few weeks after they are announced. Some OEM customer contracts have provisions for passing through raw material cost changes, generally with a lag of a few weeks to three months.

 

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Backlog

Our business is characterized generally by short-term order and shipment schedules. Our backlog consists of product orders for which we have received a customer purchase order or purchase commitment and which have not yet been shipped. Orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer. As of December 31, 2014, our backlog of orders believed to be firm was $175.4 million. The majority of the backlog at December 31, 2014 is scheduled to be shipped in 2015.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to numerous federal, state, provincial, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission, and discharge of materials into the environment, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act; and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. We believe that our existing environmental control procedures and accrued liabilities are adequate, and we have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in this area.

Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 8,100 employees worldwide. We also utilized approximately 500 workers under contract manufacturing arrangements. Approximately 1,800 employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements at various locations around the world. We believe our relationship with our employees is generally good.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports, proxy statements, and other information contain additional information about us. You may read and copy these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information about issuers who file electronically with the SEC. The Internet address of the site is www.sec.gov.

Belden maintains an Internet web site at www.belden.com where our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and all amendments to those reports and statements are available without charge, as soon as reasonably practicable following the time they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.

We will provide upon written request and without charge a printed copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. To obtain such a copy, please write to the Corporate Secretary, Belden Inc., 1 North Brentwood Boulevard, 15th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63105.

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the persons who were Belden executive officers as of February 23, 2015. All executive officers are elected to terms that expire at the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

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Name

  

Age

  

Position

John S. Stroup

  

48

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Steven Biegacki

  

56

  

Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing

Kevin L. Bloomfield

  

63

  

Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

Henk Derksen

  

46

  

Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer

Christoph Gusenleitner

  

50

  

Executive Vice President, Industrial Connectivity Solutions

Glenn Pennycook

  

52

  

Executive Vice President, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions

Ross Rosenberg

  

45

  

Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development

Dhrupad Trivedi

  

48

  

Executive Vice President, Industrial IT Solutions

Roel Vestjens

  

40

  

Executive Vice President, Broadcast Solutions

Doug Zink

  

39

  

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

John S. Stroup was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board in October 2005. From 2000 to the date of his appointment with the Company, he was employed by Danaher Corporation, a manufacturer of professional instrumentation, industrial technologies, and tools and components. At Danaher, he initially served as Vice President, Business Development. He was promoted to President of a division of Danaher’s Motion Group and later to Group Executive of the Motion Group. Earlier, he was Vice President of Marketing and General Manager with Scientific Technologies Inc. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Steven Biegacki was appointed Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing (title subsequently changed as reflected in the above table) in March 2008. Prior to joining the Company, he was Vice President, Marketing for Rockwell Automation. At Rockwell, he initially served as DeviceNet Program Manager, was promoted to Business Manager, Automation Networks in 1997, Vice President, Integrated Architecture Commercial Marketing in 1999, and Vice President, Components and Power Control Commercial Marketing in 2005. Previously, he was an Automation Systems Architecture Marketing Manager for Allen-Bradley Company. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from ETI Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio.

Kevin L. Bloomfield has been Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company (title subsequently changed as reflected in the above table) since July 2004. From August 1993 until July 2004, Mr. Bloomfield was Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Belden 1993 Inc. He was Senior Counsel for Cooper Industries from February 1987 to July 1993, and had been in Cooper’s Law Department from 1981 to 1993. He has a B.A. in Economics and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University.

Henk Derksen has been Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer since January 2012. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Corporate Finance from July 2011 to December 2011 and Treasurer and Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis of the Company from January 2010 to July 2011. In August of 2003, he became Vice President, Finance for the Company’s EMEA division, after joining the Company at the end of 2000. Prior to joining the Company, he was Vice President and Controller of Plukon Poultry, a food processing company from 1998 to 2000, and has 5 years’ experience in public accounting with Price Waterhouse and Baker Tilly. Mr. Derksen has a M.A. in Accounting from the University of Arnhem in the Netherlands and holds a doctoral degree in Business Economics in addition to an Executive Master of Finance & Control from Tias Business School in the Netherlands.

 

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Christoph Gusenleitner has been Executive Vice President, Industrial Connectivity Solutions since April 2013. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President, EMEA Operations and Global Connectivity Products since joining Belden in April 2010. Prior to joining the Company, he was a partner at Bain & Company in its industrial goods and services practice in Munich. Prior to that, he was General Manager of KaVo Dental GmbH and Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH in Biberach, Germany. KaVo is an affiliate of Danaher Corporation. During his four-year tenure at KaVo, Mr. Gusenleitner led the strategic planning process for the global Danaher Dental Equipment platform and led three business units and 18 sales subsidiaries in EMEA. He has a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria and a Master of Science in Industrial Automation from Carnegie Mellon University.

Glenn Pennycook has been Executive Vice President, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions since May 2013. Prior to that, he was President of the Enterprise Solutions Division, after joining Belden in November 2008. Prior to joining the Company, he spent 5 years with Pregis Corporation as Director of Operations for Protective Packaging Europe, and was promoted to Managing Director for Western Europe in 2005. He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario, Canada.

Ross Rosenberg was appointed Senior Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development at the Company in February 2013, and became an executive officer in May 2014. Prior to joining the Company, he led corporate development and global marketing at First Solar, the world’s largest provider of utility-scale solar power plant solutions. Prior to First Solar, Mr. Rosenberg ran a division of Danaher, a large diversified industrial technology company. At Danaher, he held several executive management roles, as well as vice president, marketing for a division and group vice president, strategy and business development. Mr. Rosenberg holds a B.S. in Accounting from University of Illinois, an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Dhrupad Trivedi has been Executive Vice President, Industrial IT Solutions since April 2013. Prior to that, he was responsible for the Corporate Development and Strategy function since joining Belden in January 2010. Earlier, he was President, Trapeze Networks. Prior to joining the Company, he was responsible for General Management and Corporate Development roles at JDS Uniphase. He has 18 years of experience in the Networking and Communications industry. Dhrupad has an MBA from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Roel Vestjens has been Executive Vice President, Broadcast Solutions since March 2014. Mr. Vestjens joined Belden in 2006 as Director of Marketing for the EMEA region. In April 2008, Mr. Vestjens was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing for the Industrial Connectivity Solutions business, and in January 2009, he was appointed General Manager of Belden’s Wire and Cable Systems business in EMEA. Mr. Vestjens relocated to Asia in November 2010, and became President of the APAC OEM business, followed by President of all APAC Operations in May 2012. Mr. Vestjens joined Belden from Royal Philips Electronics where he held various European sales and marketing positions. Mr. Vestjens holds a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science and Management degree from Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands.

Doug Zink has been Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since September 2013. Prior to that, he has served as the Company’s Vice President, Internal Audit; Corporate Controller; and Director of Financial Reporting, after joining Belden in May 2007. Prior to joining the Company, he was a Financial Reporting Manager at TLC Vision Corporation, an eye care service company, from 2004 to 2007, and has five years of experience in public accounting with KPMG LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting from Texas Christian University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We make forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in other materials we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public, and on our website. In addition, our senior management might make forward-looking statements orally to investors, analysts, the media, and others. Statements concerning our

 

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future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, future economic performance (including growth and earnings) and demand for our products and services, and other statements of our plans, beliefs, or expectations, including the statements contained in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various assumptions, risks, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, those set forth below and in the other documents that we file with the SEC.

We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Following is a discussion of some of the more significant risks that could materially impact our business. There may be additional risks that impact our business that we currently do not recognize as, or that are not currently, material to our business.

A challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets we serve could adversely affect our operating results and stock price in a material manner.

A challenging global economic environment could cause substantial reductions in our revenue and results of operations as a result of weaker demand by the end users of our products and price erosion. Price erosion may occur through competitors becoming more aggressive in pricing practices. A challenging global economy could also make it difficult for our customers, our vendors, and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. Our customers could also face issues gaining timely access to sufficient credit, which could have an adverse effect on our results if such events cause reductions in revenues, delays in collection, or write-offs of receivables. Further, the demand for many of our products is economically sensitive and will vary with general economic activity, trends in nonresidential construction, investment in manufacturing facilities and automation, demand for information and broadcast technology equipment, and other economic factors.

Global economic uncertainty could result in a significant decline in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, which could result in a significant adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations; could make it extremely difficult for our customers and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities; and could cause our customers to slow or reduce spending on our products and services. Economic uncertainty could also arise from fiscal policy changes in the countries in which we operate.

Changes in the price and availability of raw materials we use could be detrimental to our profitability.

Copper is a significant component of the cost of most of our cable products. Over the past few years, the prices of metals, particularly copper, have been highly volatile. Prices of other materials we use, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other plastics derived from petrochemical feedstocks, have also been volatile. Generally, we have recovered much of the higher cost of raw materials through higher pricing of our finished products. The majority of our products are sold through distribution, and we manage the pricing of these products through published price lists which we update from time to time, with new prices typically taking effect a few weeks after they are announced. Some OEM contracts have provisions for passing through raw material cost changes, generally with a lag of a few weeks to three months. If we are unable to raise prices sufficiently to recover our material costs, our earnings could decline. If we raise our prices but competitors raise their prices less, we may lose sales, and our earnings could decline. If the price of copper were to decline, we may be compelled to reduce prices to remain competitive, which could have a negative effect on revenues. While we generally believe the supply of raw materials (copper, plastics, and other materials) is adequate, we have experienced instances of limited supply of certain raw materials, resulting in extended lead times and higher prices. If a supply interruption or shortage of materials were to occur (including due to labor or political disputes), this could have a negative effect on revenues and earnings.

 

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The global broadcast, enterprise, industrial, and security markets are highly competitive.

We face competition from other manufacturers for each of our global business platforms and in each of our geographic regions. These companies compete on price, reputation and quality, product technology and characteristics, and terms. Some multinational competitors have greater engineering, financial, manufacturing, and marketing resources than we have. Actions that may be taken by competitors, including pricing, business alliances, new product introductions, market penetration, and other actions, could have a negative effect on our revenues and profitability. Moreover, during economic downturns, some competitors that are highly leveraged both financially and operationally could become more aggressive in their pricing of products.

We rely on several key distributors in marketing our products.

The majority of our sales are through distributors. These distributors purchase and carry the products of our competitors along with our products. Our largest distributor, Anixter International Inc., accounted for 13% of our revenue in 2014. If we were to lose a key distributor, our revenue and profits would likely be reduced, at least temporarily. Changes in the inventory levels of our products owned and held by our distributors can result in significant variability in our revenues. Further, certain distributors are allowed to return certain inventory in exchange for an order of equal or greater value. We have recorded reserves for the estimated impact of these inventory policies.

In the past, distributors have consolidated. Further consolidation of our distributors, particularly where the survivor relies more heavily on our competitors, could adversely impact our revenues and earnings. It could also result in consolidation of distributor inventory, which would temporarily depress our revenues. We have also experienced financial failure of distributors from time to time, resulting in our inability to collect accounts receivable in full. A global economic downturn could cause financial difficulties (including bankruptcy) for our distributors and other customers, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

Volatility of credit markets could adversely affect our business.

Uncertainty in U.S. and global financial and equity markets could make it more expensive for us to conduct our operations and more difficult for our customers to buy our products. Additionally, market volatility or uncertainty may cause us to be unable to pursue or complete acquisitions. Our ability to implement our business strategy and grow our business, particularly through acquisitions, may depend on our ability to raise capital by selling equity or debt securities or obtaining additional debt financing. Market conditions may prevent us from obtaining financing when we need it or on terms acceptable to us.

We must complete further acquisitions in order to achieve our strategic plan.

In order to meet the goals in our strategic plan, we must complete further acquisitions. The extent to which appropriate acquisitions are made will affect our overall growth, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows. Our ability to acquire businesses successfully will decline if we are unable to identify appropriate acquisition targets consistent with our strategic plan, the competition among potential buyers increases, or the cost of acquiring suitable businesses becomes too expensive. As a result, we may be unable to make acquisitions or be forced to pay more or agree to less advantageous acquisition terms for the companies that we are able to acquire.

We may have difficulty integrating the operations of acquired businesses, which could negatively affect our results of operations and profitability.

We may have difficulty integrating acquired businesses and future acquisitions might not meet our performance expectations. Some of the integration challenges we might face include differences in corporate culture and management styles, additional or conflicting governmental regulations, preparation of the acquired

 

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operations for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, financial reporting that is not in compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, disparate company policies and practices, customer relationship issues, and retention of key personnel. In addition, management may be required to devote a considerable amount of time to the integration process, which could decrease the amount of time we have to manage the other businesses. We may not be able to integrate operations successfully or cost-effectively, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations or our profitability. The process of integrating operations could also cause some interruption of, or the loss of momentum in, the activities of acquired businesses.

We may be unable to achieve our goals related to growth.

In order to meet the goals in our strategic plan, we must grow our business, both organically and through acquisitions. Our goal is to generate total revenue growth of 8-10% per year in constant currency. We may be unable to achieve this desired growth due to a failure to identity growth opportunities, such as trends and technological changes in our end markets. We may ineffectively execute our Market Delivery System, which is designed to identify and capture growth opportunities. The broadcast, enterprise, and industrial end markets we serve may not experience the growth we expect. Further, those markets may be unable to sustain growth on a long-term basis, particularly in emerging markets. If we are unable to achieve our goals related to growth, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We may be unable to implement our strategic plan successfully.

Our strategic plan is designed to improve revenues and profitability, reduce costs, and improve working capital management. To achieve these goals, our strategic priorities are reliant on our Belden Business System, which includes continuing deployment of our MDS so as to capture market share through end-user engagement, channel management, outbound marketing, and careful vertical market selection; improving our recruitment and development of talented associates; developing strong global business platforms; acquiring businesses that fit our strategic plan; and becoming a leading Lean company. Lean refers to a business management system that strives to create value for customers and deliver that value to the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantities while reducing or eliminating waste from all processes. We have a disciplined process for deploying this strategic plan through our associates. There is a risk that we may not be successful in developing or executing these measures to achieve the expected results for a variety of reasons, including market developments, economic conditions, shortcomings in establishing appropriate action plans, or challenges with executing multiple initiatives simultaneously. For example, our MDS initiative may not succeed or we may lose market share due to challenges in choosing the right products to market or the right customers for these products, integrating products of acquired companies into our sales and marketing strategy, or strategically bidding against OEM partners. We may fail to identify growth opportunities. We may not be able to acquire businesses that fit our strategic plan on acceptable business terms, and we may not achieve our other strategic priorities.

If we are unable to retain senior management and key employees, our business operations could be adversely affected.

Our success has been largely dependent on the skills, experience, and efforts of our senior management and key employees. The loss of any of our senior management or other key employees, including due to acquisitions or restructuring activities, could have an adverse effect on us. We may not be able to find qualified replacements for these individuals and the integration of potential replacements may be disruptive to our business. More broadly, a key determinant of our success is our ability to attract, develop, and retain talented associates. While this is one of our strategic priorities, we may not be able to succeed in this regard.

We may be unable to achieve our strategic priorities in emerging markets.

Emerging markets are a significant focus of our strategic plan. The developing nature of these markets presents a number of risks. We may be unable to attract, develop, and retain appropriate talent to manage our

 

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businesses in emerging markets. Deterioration of social, political, labor, or economic conditions in a specific country or region may adversely affect our operations or financial results. Emerging markets may not meet our growth expectations, and we may be unable to maintain such growth or to balance such growth with financial goals and compliance requirements. Among the risks in emerging market countries are bureaucratic intrusions and delays, contract compliance failures, engrained business partners that do not comply with local or U.S. law, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, fluctuating currencies and interest rates, limitations on the amount and nature of investments, restrictions on permissible forms and structures of investment, unreliable legal and financial infrastructure, regime disruption and political unrest, uncontrolled inflation and commodity prices, fierce local competition by companies with better political connections, and corruption. In addition, the costs of compliance with local laws and regulations in emerging markets may negatively impact our competitive position as compared to locally owned manufacturers.

Because we do business in many countries, our results of operations are subject to political, economic, and other uncertainties and are affected by changes in currency exchange rates.

In addition to manufacturing and other operating facilities in the U.S., we have manufacturing and other operating facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, St. Kitts, and several European countries. We rely on suppliers in many countries, including China. Our foreign operations are subject to economic and political risks inherent in maintaining operations abroad such as economic and political destabilization, land use risks, international conflicts, restrictive actions by foreign governments, and adverse foreign tax laws. A risk associated with our European manufacturing operations is the higher relative expense and length of time required to adjust manufacturing employment capacity. We also face political risks in the U.S., including tax or regulatory risks or potential adverse impacts from legislative impasses over, or significant changes in, fiscal or monetary policy.

Approximately 51% of our sales are outside the U.S. Other than the U.S. dollar, the principal currencies to which we are exposed through our manufacturing operations, sales, and related cash holdings are the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Hong Kong dollar, the Chinese yuan, the Japanese yen, the Mexican peso, the Australian dollar, the British pound, and the Brazilian real. Generally, we have revenues and costs in the same currency, thereby reducing our overall currency risk, although any realignment of our manufacturing capacity among our global facilities could alter this balance. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies, the results of our non-U.S. operations are translated at a lower exchange rate and thus into lower reported earnings.

Our future success depends in part on our ability to develop and introduce new products.

Our markets are characterized by the introduction of products with increasing technological capabilities. The relative costs and merits of our solutions could change in the future as various competing technologies address the market opportunities. In addition, the products sold by our recently acquired businesses generally have shorter life cycles than our legacy product portfolio. We believe that our future success will depend in part upon our ability to enhance existing products and to develop and manufacture new products that meet or anticipate technological changes, which will require continued investment in engineering, research and development, capital equipment, marketing, customer service, and technical support. We have long been successful in introducing successive generations of more capable products, but if we were to fail to keep pace with technology or with the products of competitors, we might lose market share and harm our reputation and position as a technology leader in our markets. Competing technologies could cause the obsolescence of many of our products. See the discussion above in Part I, Item 1, under Research and Development.

We might have difficulty protecting our intellectual property from use by competitors, or competitors might accuse us of violating their intellectual property rights.

Disagreements about patents and other intellectual property rights occur in the markets we serve. Third parties have asserted and may in the future assert claims of infringement of intellectual property rights against us or against our customers or channel partners for which we may be liable. Furthermore, a successful claimant could secure a judgment that requires us to pay substantial damages or prevents us from distributing certain products or performing certain services. We may encounter difficulty enforcing our own intellectual property rights against third parties, which could result in price erosion or loss of market share.

 

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We may experience significant variability in our quarterly and annual effective tax rate which would affect our reported net income.

We have a complex tax profile due to the global nature of our operations, which encompass multiple taxing jurisdictions. Variability in the mix and profitability of domestic and international activities, identification and resolution of various tax uncertainties, changes in tax laws and rates, and the extent to which we are able to realize net operating loss and other carryforwards included in deferred tax assets and avoid potential adverse outcomes included in deferred tax liabilities, among other matters, may significantly affect our effective income tax rate in the future.

Our effective income tax rate is the result of the income tax rates in the various countries in which we do business. Our mix of income and losses in these jurisdictions affects our effective tax rate. For example, relatively more income in higher tax rate jurisdictions would increase our effective tax rate and thus lower our net income. Similarly, if we generate losses in tax jurisdictions for which no benefits are available, our effective income tax rate will increase. Our effective income tax rate may also be impacted by the recognition of discrete income tax items, such as required adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions or our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. A significant increase in our effective income tax rate could have a material adverse impact on our earnings.

Of our $741.2 million cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2014, $139.9 million was held outside of the U.S. in our foreign operations. If we were to repatriate the foreign cash to the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes in accordance with applicable U.S. tax rules and regulations.

If our goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, we would be required to recognize charges that would reduce our income.

Under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., goodwill and certain other intangible assets are not amortized but must be reviewed for possible impairment annually or more often in certain circumstances if events indicate that the asset values may not be recoverable. We have incurred significant charges for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets in the past, and we may be required to do so again in future periods if the underlying value of our business declines. Such a charge would reduce our income without any change to our underlying cash flows.

Legal compliance issues could adversely affect our business.

We have a strong legal compliance and ethics program, including a code of business conduct and ethics, policies on anti-bribery, export controls, environmental, and other legal compliance areas, and periodic training to relevant associates on these matters. While we believe that this program should reduce the likelihood of a legal compliance violation, such a violation could still occur, disrupting our business through fines, penalties, diversion of internal resources, and negative publicity.

Potential problems with our information systems could interfere with our business and operations.

We rely on our information systems and those of third parties for processing customer orders, shipping products, billing our customers, tracking inventory, supporting accounting functions and financial statement preparation, paying our employees, and otherwise running our business. Any disruption, whether from hackers or other sources, in our information systems or those of the third parties upon whom we rely could have a significant impact on our business. In addition, we may need to enhance our information systems to provide additional capabilities and functionality. The implementation of new information systems

 

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and enhancements is frequently disruptive to the underlying business of an enterprise. Any disruptions affecting our ability to accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis could adversely affect our business in a number of respects. If we are unable to successfully implement potential future information systems enhancements, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows could be negatively impacted.

We, and others on our behalf, store “personally identifiable information” with respect to employees, vendors, customers, and others. While we have implemented safeguards to protect the privacy of this information, it is possible that hackers or others might obtain this information. If that occurs, in addition to having to take potentially costly remedial action, we also may be subject to fines, penalties, and reputational damage.

Perceived failure of our signal transmission solutions to provide expected results may result in negative publicity and harm our business and operating results.

Our customers use our signal transmission solutions in a wide variety of IT systems and application environments in order to help reduce security vulnerabilities and demonstrate compliance. Despite our efforts to make clear in our marketing materials and customer agreements the capabilities and limitations of these products, some customers may incorrectly view the deployment of such products in their IT infrastructure as a guarantee that there will be no security breach or policy non-compliance event. As a result, the occurrence of a high profile security breach, or a failure by one of our customers to pass a regulatory compliance IT audit, could result in public and customer perception that our solutions are not effective and harm our business and operating results, even if the occurrence is unrelated to the use of such products or if the failure is the result of actions or inactions on the part of the customer.

Our use of open source software could negatively impact our ability to sell our products and may subject us to unanticipated obligations.

The products, services, or technologies we acquire, license, provide, or develop may incorporate or use open source software. We monitor and restrict our use of open source software in an effort to avoid unintended consequences, such as reciprocal license grants, patent retaliation clauses, and the requirement to license our products at no cost. Nevertheless, we may be subject to unanticipated obligations regarding our products which incorporate or use open source software.

Some of our employees are members of collective bargaining groups, and we might be subject to labor actions that would interrupt our business.

Some of our employees, primarily outside the U.S., are members of collective bargaining groups. We believe that our relations with employees are generally good. However, if there were a dispute with one of these bargaining groups, the affected operations could be interrupted resulting in lost revenues, lost profit contribution, and customer dissatisfaction.

There may be additional risks that impact our business that we currently do not recognize as, or that are not currently, material to our business.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Belden owns and leases manufacturing, warehousing, sales, and administrative space in locations around the world. We also have a corporate office that we lease in St. Louis, Missouri. The leases are of varying terms, expiring from 2015 through 2026.

 

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The table below summarizes the geographic locations of our manufacturing and other operating facilities utilized by our segments as of December 31, 2014.

 

            Enterprise      Industrial             Utilized by         
     Broadcast      Connectivity      Connectivity      Industrial IT      Multiple         
     Solutions      Solutions      Solutions      Solutions      Segments      Total  

Brazil

     —           —           1         —           —           1   

Canada

     1         —           1         —           —           2   

China

     1         —           —           —           1         2   

Czech Republic

     —           —           1         —           —           1   

Denmark

     1         1         —           —           —           2   

Germany

     —           —           —           1         —           1   

Hungary

     —           —           —           —           1         1   

Italy

     —           —           —           —           1         1   

Japan

     1         —           —           —           —           1   

Mexico

     1         —           —           —           2         3   

Netherlands

     1         —           1         —           —           2   

St. Kitts

     1         —           —           —           —           1   

United Kingdom

     1         —           —           —           —           1   

United States

     4         —           5         1         4         14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  12      1      9      2      9      33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the manufacturing and other operating facilities summarized above, our segments also utilize approximately 27 warehouses worldwide. As of December 31, 2014, we owned or leased a total of approximately 6 million square feet of facility space worldwide. We believe that our production facilities are suitable for their present and intended purposes and adequate for our current level of operations.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We are a former owner of a property located in Kingston, Ontario. The Ontario, Canada Ministry of the Environment is seeking to require current and former owners of the Kingston property to delineate and remediate soil and groundwater contamination at the site, which we believe was caused by Nortel (a former owner of the site). We are in the process of assessing whether we have any liability for the site, as well as the scope of contamination, cost of remediation, allocation of costs among the parties, and the other parties’ financial viability. Based on our current information, we do not believe this matter should have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows. However, since the outcome of this matter is uncertain, we cannot give absolute assurance regarding its future resolution, or that such matter may not become material in the future.

We are also a party to various legal proceedings and administrative actions that are incidental to our operations. In our opinion, the proceedings and actions in which we are involved should not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows. However, since the trends and outcome of this litigation are inherently uncertain, we cannot give absolute assurance regarding the future resolution of such litigation, or that such litigation may not become material in the future.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

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

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BDC.”

As of February 17, 2015, there were 325 record holders of common stock of Belden Inc.

We declared a dividend of $0.05 per share in each quarter of 2014 and 2013. We anticipate that comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid quarterly in the foreseeable future.

Common Stock Prices and Dividends

 

     2014 (By Quarter)  
     1      2      3      4  

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.05       $ 0.05       $ 0.05       $ 0.05   

Common stock prices:

           

High

   $ 75.23       $ 79.20       $ 79.30       $ 82.90   

Low

   $ 61.81       $ 67.15       $ 64.69       $ 58.06   
     2013 (By Quarter)  
     1      2      3      4  

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.05       $ 0.05       $ 0.05       $ 0.05   

Common stock prices:

           

High

   $ 53.24       $ 55.69       $ 66.13       $ 72.07   

Low

   $ 45.00       $ 45.06       $ 50.10       $ 62.50   

In July 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program, which allows us to purchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock through open market repurchases, negotiated transactions, or other means, in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. In November 2012, our Board of Directors authorized an extension of the share repurchase program, which allows us to purchase up to an additional $200.0 million of our common stock. This program is funded by cash on hand and free cash flow. The program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended at any time at the discretion of the Company.

From inception of the program to December 31, 2014, we have repurchased 6.7 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $310.9 million and an average price of $46.54. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we repurchased 1.3 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $92.2 million and an average price of $73.06. Set forth below is information regarding our stock repurchases for the three months ended December 31, 2014.

 

    Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased
    Average Price
Paid
per Share
    Total Number of Shares
Repurchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
    Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
 

Period:

       

September 29, 2014 through November 2, 2014

    —        $ —          —        $ 69,053,228   

November 3, 2014 through November 30, 2014

    —          —          —          69,053,228   

December 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014

    405,691        73.95        405,691        39,053,228   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  405,691    $ 73.95      405,691    $ 39,053,228   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Belden’s common stock over the five-year period ended December 31, 2014, with the cumulative total return during such period of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Standard and Poor’s 1500 Industrials Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2009, in Belden’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends. The stock performance shown on the graph below represents historical stock performance and is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 

LOGO

 

(1)

The chart above and the accompanying data are “furnished,” not “filed,” with the SEC.

 

Total Return To Shareholders   
(Includes reinvestment of dividends)   
            ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE  
            Years Ending December 31,  

Company Name / Index

          2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  

Belden Inc.

        69.2     -9.1     35.9     57.1     12.2

S&P 500 Index

        15.1     2.1     16.0     32.4     13.7

S&P 1500 Industrials Index

        27.2     -0.9     16.5     41.2     8.5
     INDEXED RETURNS  
     Years Ending December 31,  
     Base Period                                 

Company Name / Index

   2009      2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  

Belden Inc.

   $ 100.00       $ 169.15      $ 153.79      $ 209.00      $ 328.41      $ 368.40   

S&P 500 Index

     100.00         115.06        117.49        136.30        180.44        205.14   

S&P 1500 Industrials Index

     100.00         127.24        126.13        146.90        207.40        224.98   

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Statement of operations data:

              

Revenues

   $ 2,308,265       $ 2,069,193       $ 1,840,739       $ 1,882,187       $ 1,543,386   

Operating income

     163,119         201,262         108,497         165,206         116,639   

Income from continuing operations

     74,432         104,734         43,236         101,308         61,276   

Basic income per share from continuing operations

     1.72         2.39         0.96         2.15         1.31   

Diluted income per share from continuing operations

     1.69         2.34         0.94         2.11         1.28   

Balance sheet data:

              

Total assets

     3,262,827         2,751,753         2,584,583         1,788,120         1,696,484   

Long-term debt

     1,765,422         1,364,536         1,135,527         550,926         551,155   

Long-term debt, including current maturities

     1,767,922         1,367,036         1,151,205         550,926         551,155   

Stockholders’ equity

     807,186         836,541         811,860         694,549         638,515   

Other data:

              

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     43,273         43,871         45,097         47,109         46,805   

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     43,997         44,737         45,942         48,104         47,783   

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.20       $ 0.20       $ 0.20       $ 0.20       $ 0.20   

In 2014, we acquired Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast. During 2014, we recognized severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs of approximately $70.8 million related to the integration of acquired businesses and a productivity improvement program. We also recognized purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, including the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, of $8.4 million.

In 2013, we acquired Softel in our fiscal first quarter. During 2013, we recognized severance and other restructuring costs, including accelerated depreciation expense, of $19.8 million, primarily related to plant consolidation activities in our Broadcast segment, and purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, including the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, of $6.6 million.

In 2012, we acquired Miranda in our fiscal third quarter and PPC in our fiscal fourth quarter. We sold certain assets of our Chinese cable operations that conducted business primarily in the consumer electronics end market at the end of our fiscal fourth quarter. We sold our Thermax and Raydex cable business in 2012, which has been treated as a discontinued operation. During 2012, we also recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $52.5 million, asset impairment and loss on sale of assets of $33.7 million, purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, including the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, of $18.8 million, and severance and other restructuring costs of $17.9 million.

In 2011, we acquired ICM, Poliron, and Byres Security. During 2011, we also recognized severance expense of $4.9 million and asset impairment charges of $2.5 million.

In 2010, we acquired GarrettCom and the Communications Products business of Thomas & Betts. During 2010, we also recognized expenses from the effects of purchase accounting of $6.5 million, severance expense of $1.1 million, and asset impairment charges of $16.6 million.

 

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

Overview

We are an innovative signal transmission solutions company built around four global business platforms – Broadcast Solutions, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions, Industrial Connectivity Solutions, and Industrial IT Solutions. Our comprehensive portfolio of signal transmission solutions provides industry leading secure and reliable transmission of data, sound, and video for mission critical applications.

We strive to create shareholder value by:

 

   

Delivering highly engineered signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications in a diverse set of global markets;

 

   

Maintaining a balanced product portfolio across end markets, applications, and geographies that allows for a disciplined approach to growth;

 

   

Capturing additional market share by using our Market Delivery System to improve channel and end-user relationships and to concentrate sales efforts on customers in higher growth geographies and vertical end-markets;

 

   

Managing our product portfolio to provide innovative and complete end-to-end solutions for our customers in applications for which we have operational expertise and can drive customer loyalty;

 

   

Acquiring leading companies, with innovative product portfolios and opportunities for synergies, that fit within our strategic framework;

 

   

Continuously improving our people, processes, and systems through scalable, flexible, and sustainable business systems for talent management, Lean enterprise, and acquisition cultivation and integration; and

 

   

Protecting and enhancing the value of the Belden brands.

We believe our business system, balance across markets and geographies, systematic go-to-market approach, extensive portfolio of innovative solutions, commitment to Lean principles, and improving margins present a unique value proposition that increases shareholder value.

To accomplish these goals, we use a set of tools and processes that are designed to continuously improve business performance in the critical areas of quality, delivery, cost, and innovation. We consider revenue growth, operating margin, free cash flows, and return on invested capital to be our key operating performance indicators. We also seek to acquire businesses that we believe can help us achieve these objectives. The extent to which appropriate acquisitions are made and integrated can affect our overall growth, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.

We generated approximately 51% of our sales outside of the U.S. in 2014. As a global business, our operations are affected by worldwide, regional, and industry economic and political factors. We continue to operate in a highly competitive business environment in our served markets and geographies. Our market and geographic diversity limits the impact of any one market or the economy of any single country on our consolidated operating results. Our individual businesses monitor key competitors and customers, including to the extent possible their sales, to gauge relative performance and the outlook for the future. In addition, we use indices for general economic trends to predict our outlook for the future given the broad range of products manufactured and end markets served.

We use the U.S. dollar as our reporting currency, although a substantial portion of our assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows reside in or are derived from countries other than the U.S. These assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows are translated from local currencies into the U.S. dollar using exchange rates effective during the applicable period. We have generally accepted the exposure to currency exchange rate movements without using derivative financial instruments to manage this risk. However, we re-evaluate our strategy as the foreign currency environment changes, and it is possible that we could utilize derivative financial instruments to manage this risk in the future. Both positive and negative movements in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will continue to affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Significant Trends and Events in 2014

The following trends and events during 2014 had varying effects on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Commodity Prices

Our operating results can be affected by changes in prices of commodities, primarily copper and compounds, which are components in some of the products we sell. Generally, as the costs of inventory purchases increase due to higher commodity prices, we raise selling prices to customers to cover the increase in costs, resulting in higher sales revenue but a lower gross profit percentage. Conversely, a decrease in commodity prices would result in lower sales revenue but a higher gross profit percentage. Selling prices of our products are affected by many factors, including end market demand, capacity utilization, overall economic conditions, and commodity prices. Importantly, however, there is no exact measure of the effect of changing commodity prices, as there are thousands of transactions in any given quarter, each of which has various factors involved in the individual pricing decisions. Therefore, all references to the effect of copper prices or other commodity prices are estimates.

Channel Inventory

Our operating results also can be affected by the levels of Belden products purchased and held as inventory by our channel partners and customers. Our channel partners and customers purchase and hold our products in their inventory in order to meet the service and on-time delivery requirements of their customers. Generally, as our channel partners and customers change the level of Belden products owned and held in their inventory, it impacts our revenues. Comparisons of our results between periods can be impacted by changes in the levels of channel inventory. We are dependent upon our channel partners to provide us with information regarding the amount of our products that they own and hold in their inventory. As such, all references to the effect of channel inventory changes are estimates.

Market Growth and Market Share

The broadcast, enterprise, and industrial markets in which we operate can generally be characterized as highly competitive and highly fragmented, with many players. Based on available data for our served markets, we estimate that our market share ranges from approximately 15% - 20%. A substantial acquisition in one of our served markets would be necessary to meaningfully change our estimated market share percentage. We monitor available data regarding market growth, including independent market research reports, publicly available indices, and the financial results of our direct and indirect peer companies, in order to estimate the extent to which our served markets grew or contracted during a particular period. We expect that our unit sales volume will increase or decrease consistently with the market growth rate. Our strategic goal is to utilize our Market Delivery System to target faster growing geographies, applications, and trends within our end markets, in order to achieve growth that is higher than the general market growth rate. To the extent that we exceed the market growth rates, we consider it to be the result of capturing market share.

Acquisitions

We completed the acquisitions of Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l., (collectively, Grass Valley) on March 31, 2014, ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft) on June 11, 2014, and Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC (Coast) on November 20, 2014. The results of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from their respective acquisitions dates and are reported in the Broadcast, Industrial IT, and Industrial Connectivity segments, respectively.

 

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Productivity Improvement Program and Acquisition Integration

During 2014, we incurred severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs primarily related to the integration of our acquisitions of Grass Valley and ProSoft and a productivity improvement program. The restructuring and integration activities related to our acquisition of Grass Valley are focused on achieving desired cost savings by consolidating existing and acquired operating facilities and other support functions. The Grass Valley costs relate to our Broadcast segment. The productivity improvement program is focused on improving the cost structure of our sales, marketing, finance, and human resources functions relative to our peers. The majority of the expected costs for the productivity improvement program relate to the Industrial Connectivity, Enterprise, and Industrial IT segments. We expect the productivity improvement actions to reduce our operating expenses by approximately $18 million on an annualized basis. We began to realize the initial benefits of the productivity improvement program in the fiscal third quarter.

In 2014, we recorded severance, restructuring, and integration costs of $70.8 million related to these programs. Severance costs represented $37.3 million of the total costs recognized. The other restructuring and integration costs included costs of integrating manufacturing operations, such as relocating inventory on a global basis, retention bonuses, employee relocation, recruitment, and travel, lease termination, preparation for office closures and operations transfers, and reserves for inventory obsolescence as a result of product line integration.

We expect to incur additional severance, restructuring, and integration costs in 2015 of approximately $21 million as a result of the activities discussed above, as well as the integration of Tripwire, which was acquired on January 2, 2015.

In 2013, we recorded $14.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, such as relocation and equipment transfer costs, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense, primarily as a result of facility consolidation in New York and other acquisition integration activities for our 2012 acquisition of PPC Broadband, Inc. (PPC). The severance and other restructuring costs were paid in 2013. We expected the results of these activities to generate annualized cost savings of approximately $8 - $10 million beginning in 2014, and we have substantially realized those savings.

In 2012, in response to uncertain economic conditions, we implemented certain restructuring actions and recognized severance and other restructuring costs of $17.9 million. The actions included reducing headcount and renegotiating procurement related contracts in order to reduce our cost structure. We expected the results of these activities to generate annualized cost savings of approximately $20 million beginning in 2013, and we have substantially achieved those cost savings.

We continuously review our business strategies. In order to remain competitive, our goal is to improve productivity on an annual basis. To the extent that market growth rates are modest, we may need to restructure aspects of our business in order to meet our annual productivity targets. This could result in additional restructuring costs in future periods. The magnitude of restructuring costs in the future could be influenced by statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate and our internal policies with regard to providing severance benefits in the absence of statutory requirements.

 

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Results of Operations

Consolidated Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes

 

            Percentage Change  
     2014      2013      2012      2014 vs. 2013     2013 vs. 2012  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues

   $ 2,308,265       $ 2,069,193       $ 1,840,739         11.6     12.4

Gross profit

     819,449         704,429         566,597         16.3     24.3

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     487,945         378,009         345,926         29.1     9.3

Research and development

     113,914         83,277         65,410         36.8     27.3

Operating income

     163,119         201,262         108,497         -19.0     85.5

Income from continuing operations before taxes

     81,546         127,049         5,042         -35.8     2419.8

2014 Compared to 2013

Revenues increased in 2014 from 2013 due to the following factors:

 

   

The acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast contributed $229.6 million of the increase in revenues in 2014.

 

   

An increase in unit sales volume resulted in an increase in revenues of approximately $42.2 million. We experienced an increase in sales volume in our Broadcast and Industrial segments, which offset lower sales volume in our Enterprise segment. Sales volume in the Enterprise segment decreased due to product portfolio decisions to emphasize higher value solutions rather than lower margin cable products. In addition, revenues in 2014 were negatively impacted by a decrease in channel inventory. The decrease in channel inventory resulted in part from shorter lead times stemming from our Lean Enterprise initiatives, which allow our channel partners to maintain lower levels of Belden products in their inventory. From a geographic perspective, the increase in volume was the strongest in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, emerging markets, the U.S., and Mexico, whereas volume decreased in the Asia Pacific region.

 

   

A decrease in sales prices primarily due to lower copper costs resulted in a revenue decrease of approximately $16.7 million.

 

   

Unfavorable currency translation resulted in a decrease in revenue of approximately $16.0 million in 2014. The unfavorable currency translation was primarily related to the strengthening U.S. dollar compared to the euro and the Canadian dollar.

Gross profit in 2014 included $20.7 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, and $8.4 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast. Gross profit in 2013 included $12.0 million of severance, restructuring, accelerated depreciation, and integration costs and $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to the 2012 acquisition of PPC.

Excluding these costs, gross profit in 2014 increased by $125.6 million from 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast which contributed approximately $109.8 million of gross profit in 2014. The remainder of the increase was due to leveraging the increase in revenues discussed above and improved productivity as a result of our completed restructuring actions.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2014 primarily due to our acquisitions. Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast recognized $72.0 million of selling, general and administrative expenses in 2014. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2014 due to an increase in severance, restructuring, and integration costs of $40.1 million. These increases were partially offset by improved productivity as a result of our completed restructuring actions.

 

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Research and development expenses increased in 2014 primarily due to our acquisitions. Grass Valley and ProSoft recognized $31.7 million of research and development expenses in 2014.

Operating income in 2014 included $70.8 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, $58.4 million of amortization of intangibles and $8.4 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast. Operating income in 2013 included $50.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $14.9 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. Excluding these costs, operating income increased by $22.4 million due to leveraging the increase in revenues, improved productivity as a result of our completed restructuring actions, and the contribution of approximately $7.4 million of operating income from the combined acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast.

Interest expense increased by $9.1 million in 2014 from 2013 due to the issuance of $200 million 5.25% senior subordinated notes in June 2014, the issuance of €200 million 5.5% senior subordinated notes in November 2014, and our 2013 refinancing activities. Our long-term debt balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.8 billion, compared to $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2013. Our effective interest rate as of December 31, 2014 was 5.2%. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

Income from continuing operations before taxes decreased in 2014 from 2013 primarily due to the increase in severance, restructuring, and integration costs and the increase in interest expense discussed above.

2013 Compared to 2012

Revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 primarily due to acquisitions, which contributed $329.7 million of the increase.

Revenues were also impacted by the following factors:

 

   

An increase in unit sales volume, including changes in channel inventory, resulted in approximately an $8.0 million increase in revenues. Our balanced portfolio across end markets and geographies allowed us to generate an increase in volume, despite challenging economic conditions in various markets and geographies throughout the year. For example, we believe market share gains in industrial end markets partially mitigated the impact of uncertain economic conditions in enterprise end markets, including weak spending on non-residential construction and information technology projects.

 

   

Favorable currency translation resulted in a $3.6 million increase in revenues.

 

   

The disposal of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in 2012 resulted in a decrease in revenues of $97.8 million.

 

   

Lower copper costs resulted in an estimated revenue decrease of approximately $15 million.

Gross profit for 2013 included $7.1 million of severance and other restructuring costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. The severance and other restructuring costs and accelerated depreciation expense primarily resulted from our decision to consolidate manufacturing facilities as we integrated PPC. Gross profit for 2012 included $16.0 million of purchase accounting effects of acquisitions, including increased cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, and $6.5 million of severance and other restructuring costs. The $3.9 million decrease in these costs from 2012 to 2013 contributed to the increase in gross profit from 2012 to 2013.

Excluding the costs described above, our gross profit increased by $133.9 million from 2012 to 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, which contributed approximately $132.4 million of gross profit. The remainder of the increase was due to the increase in revenues and improved product mix, partially offset by the disposal of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in 2012.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2013 from 2012. Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2013 included $6.5 million of severance and other restructuring costs, compared to $10.0 million of severance and other restructuring costs for 2012. Excluding the impact of the severance and other restructuring costs, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the impact of our acquisitions completed in 2012, which contributed $52.6 million of the increase. Excluding the impact of the costs discussed above and the selling, general and administrative costs of the companies acquired in 2012, our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $17.0 million due to improved productivity and our previously completed restructuring activities.

The increase in research and development costs in 2013 from 2012 was primarily due to our recent technology intensive acquisitions, which contributed approximately $19.0 million of the increase. Excluding the impact of the research and development costs of the companies acquired in 2012, our research and development costs decreased by approximately $1.0 million due to improved productivity and our previously completed restructuring activities.

Amortization of intangibles increased by $28.0 million due to the impact of our acquisitions completed in 2012.

Operating income for 2013 included $50.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $14.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. Operating income for 2012 included $33.7 million of asset impairment and loss on sale of assets, $22.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $17.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, and $18.8 million of expenses due to the effects of purchase accounting, primarily for cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC. The $16.0 million decrease in these costs from 2012 to 2013 contributed to the increase in operating income.

Excluding the costs described above, operating income increased by $76.7 million from 2012 to 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, which contributed approximately $60.9 million of operating income. The remainder of the increase was due to an improved business portfolio, improved end-market mix, improved productivity as a result of the successful execution of our Lean Enterprise strategies and our previously completed restructuring activities, and leverage on the increase in revenues.

Interest expense increased in 2013 from 2012 due to our increase in total debt incurred to finance our 2012 acquisitions. Our effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2013 was 5.1%. Interest expense for 2013 includes $1.7 million of interest expense associated with uncertain tax positions.

Income from continuing operations before taxes increased in 2013 from 2012 due to the increase in operating income discussed above. In addition, 2012 included a loss on debt extinguishment of $52.5 million in income from continuing operations before taxes, compared to $1.6 million in 2013. In 2012, we completed a tender offer and repurchased all of our senior subordinated notes due 2017 and $194.8 million of our senior subordinated notes due 2019, which resulted in the loss on extinguishment of debt of $52.5 million.

Income Taxes

 

     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Income from continuing operations before taxes

   $ 81,546      $ 127,049      $ 5,042   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     7,114        22,315        (38,194

Effective tax rate

     8.7     17.6     -757.5

 

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2014 Compared to 2013

We recognized income tax expense of $7.1 million in 2014, representing an effective tax rate for 2014 of 8.7%. Our income tax expense in 2014 included certain significant discrete items. First, our income tax expense in 2014 included a benefit of $5.8 million for the reduction of uncertain tax position liabilities, primarily due to favorable developments with a foreign tax audit and transfer pricing matters. In addition, our 2014 income tax expense included $3.8 million of net expense to record valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets related to net operating losses generated in 2014. The valuation allowances were recorded due to a history of tax losses in certain jurisdictions. Significant discrete items impacting our income tax expense in 2013 are noted below.

Our income tax expense was also impacted by foreign tax rate differences. The statutory tax rates associated with our foreign earnings generally are lower than the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35%. This had the greatest impact on our income from continuing operations before taxes that is generated in Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, which have statutory tax rates of approximately 28%, 26%, and 25%, respectively. Foreign tax rate differences reduced our income tax expense relative to the statutory U.S. tax rate by approximately $14.4 million and $15.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Our income tax expense also was impacted by domestic permanent differences and tax credits. In 2014, our income tax expense included a benefit of $5.8 million from domestic permanent differences and tax credits, compared to a benefit of $8.5 million in 2013. In general, our significant domestic permanent differences and tax credits stem from foreign income that is taxable in the U.S., credits for taxes paid in foreign jurisdictions on income that is also taxable in the U.S., and credits for research and development activities.

As of December 31, 2014, we maintained a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets of $157.3 million. Of this amount, approximately $143.5 million relates to net operating loss deferred tax assets acquired from Grass Valley, and an additional $4.3 million relates to net operating losses generated by Grass Valley subsequent to the acquisition date. Grass Valley has a history of significant tax losses, both in the U.S. and in its various foreign jurisdictions. We do not currently have forecasted sources of taxable income in Grass Valley’s jurisdictions that would be sufficient to utilize their net operating losses.

The remaining $9.5 million of valuation allowance relates to deferred tax assets for certain U.S. state net operating losses and tax credits. While we have positive evidence in the form of projected sources of income, we determined that these assets were not realizable as of December 31, 2014 due to a history of net operating losses and tax credits expiring without being utilized in certain states and because the current forecast of income is not sufficient to utilize all of these state net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.

2013 Compared to 2012

We recognized income tax expense of $22.3 million in 2013, representing an effective tax rate for 2013 of 17.6%. Our income tax expense in 2013 included several significant discrete items. We recognized $4.8 million of tax expense for uncertain tax position liabilities, primarily related to a foreign tax audit. Income tax expense for 2013 also included a net $4.2 million tax benefit due to the impact of tax law changes, primarily for tax law changes in the U.S. regarding the portion of our foreign income that is taxable in the U.S.

In 2012, as a result of recognizing two significant discrete items, we recognized income tax benefit of $38.2 million. First, we recorded a $21.0 million tax benefit related to the settlement of a tax sharing agreement with Cooper Industries. Second, in 2012, we recorded a net income tax benefit of $9.5 million due to changes in valuation allowances in foreign and domestic jurisdictions. The most significant change was a reduction of the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets for net operating losses in the Netherlands of $11.7 million. We reduced the valuation allowance in the Netherlands because the weight of evidence regarding the future realizability of the deferred tax assets had become predominately positive and realization of the deferred tax assets was more likely than not. The positive evidence considered in our assessment of the realizability of the

 

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deferred tax assets included: 1) the generation by the business of income in 2011 and 2012, with a significant increase year-over-year, due in part to operational changes in the business that improved profitability, such as headcount and other cost reductions, improvements in logistics and procurement processes, and on-going productivity initiatives; 2) the implementation of tax planning strategies surrounding acquisition financing that will generate increased future income in the Netherlands; and 3) the implementation of other tax planning strategies surrounding intercompany activities that will generate additional income in the Netherlands in future years. The negative evidence considered included historical losses in the Netherlands in 2010 and certain prior years.

During 2012, we also reduced valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets for net operating losses in the U.S. of $1.2 million and Canada of $0.5 million, and we recorded valuation allowances of $3.9 million related to deferred tax assets for net operating losses in Asia, primarily China and Hong Kong. These changes to our valuation allowances were made based on our assessments of the realizability of those deferred tax assets, giving consideration to all available evidence, including all future sources of income in the applicable jurisdictions.

Our income tax expense was impacted by several other factors. The statutory tax rates associated with our foreign earnings generally are lower than the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35%. This had the greatest impact on our income from continuing operations before taxes that is generated in Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, which have statutory tax rates of approximately 28%, 26%, and 25%, respectively. Foreign tax rate differences reduced our income tax expense relative to the statutory U.S. tax rate by approximately $15.4 million and $14.0 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Our income tax expense also was impacted by domestic permanent differences and tax credits. In 2013, our income tax expense included a benefit of $8.5 million from domestic permanent differences and tax credits, compared to expense in 2012 of $4.9 million. The change from 2012 to 2013 was caused primarily by changes in certain tax laws in the U.S. that decreased the portion of our foreign income that was taxable in the U.S. in 2013 compared to 2012. In general, our significant domestic permanent differences and tax credits stem from foreign income that is taxable in the U.S., deductions available for domestic manufacturing activities, credits for taxes paid in foreign jurisdictions on income that is also taxable in the U.S., and credits for research and development activities.

As of December 31, 2013, we maintained a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets of $10.2 million. The most significant component of the valuation allowance was $7.1 million of deferred tax assets for certain U.S. state net operating losses and tax credits. While we have positive evidence in the form of projected sources of income, we determined that these assets were not realizable as of December 31, 2013 due to a history of net operating losses and tax credits expiring without being utilized in certain states and because the current forecast of income is not sufficient to utilize all of these state net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.

Our income tax expense and effective tax rate in future periods may be impacted by many factors, including our geographic mix of income and changes in tax laws. See further discussion in Part 1, Item 1A, Risk Factors, under “We may experience significant variability in our quarterly and annual effective tax rate which would affect our reported net income.”

Broadcast Solutions

 

                       Percentage Change  
     2014     2013     2012     2014 vs. 2013     2013 vs. 2012  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues

   $ 916,632      $ 663,900      $ 356,320        38.1     86.3

Operating income (loss)

     4,093        15,099        (11,657     -72.9     229.5

as a percent of revenues

     0.4     2.3     -3.3    

 

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2014 Compared to 2013

Broadcast revenues increased in 2014 from 2013 primarily due to the acquisition of Grass Valley, which contributed $196.2 million of revenues in 2014. An increase in unit sales volume resulted in an increase in revenues of approximately $61.2 million. We believe sales volume benefited from market share gains due to the execution of our Market Delivery System, particularly in our broadband connectivity business. Geographically, the volume increase was the strongest in EMEA, emerging markets, and the U.S. Unfavorable currency translation and lower copper costs resulted in decreases in revenues of approximately $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

Operating income in 2014 included $50.7 million of amortization of intangibles, $48.6 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs and $6.9 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of Grass Valley. Operating income in 2013 included $46.0 million of amortization of intangibles, $12.1 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense.

Excluding these costs, operating income for 2014 increased by $25.6 million compared to 2013. The increase in operating income is primarily due to leveraging the increase in revenues and improved productivity due to our completed restructuring actions. These factors were partially offset by unfavorable currency translation.

2013 Compared to 2012

Broadcast revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 primarily due to acquisitions, which contributed $329.7 million to the increase in revenues. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in unit sales volume, including the impact of changes in channel inventory, of approximately $19.1 million. The decrease in volume was due in part to the favorable impact of the Olympics and the U.S. presidential election cycle in 2012. Lower copper costs resulted in an estimated revenue decrease of approximately $3 million.

Operating income for 2013 included $46.0 million of amortization of intangibles, $12.1 million of severance and other restructuring costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. Operating loss for 2012 included $16.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $4.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, and $16.5 million of expenses due to the effects of purchase accounting, primarily for cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC.

Excluding the costs described above, operating income increased by $58.2 million from 2012 to 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, which contributed approximately $60.9 million of operating income. The increase in operating income due to acquisitions was partially offset by a decrease in operating income due to the decline in sales volume.

Enterprise Connectivity Solutions

 

                       Percentage Change  
     2014     2013     2012     2014 vs. 2013     2013 vs. 2012  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues

   $ 455,795      $ 493,129      $ 496,857        -7.6     -0.8

Operating income

     47,715        48,753        40,056        -2.1     21.7

as a percent of revenues

     10.5     9.9     8.1    

 

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2014 Compared to 2013

Enterprise Connectivity revenues decreased in 2014 compared to 2013 due to a decrease in unit sales volume of approximately $26.6 million. The decrease in volume was due to product portfolio decisions to emphasize higher value solutions rather than lower margin cable products. The decrease in volume was most notable in the U.S., Canada, and China. Additionally, sales volume declined in 2014 due to a decrease in channel inventory. A decrease in sales prices primarily due to lower copper costs and unfavorable currency translation resulted in revenue decreases of approximately $5.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

While operating income decreased from 2013 to 2014, operating income margins increased from 9.9% to 10.5%, due to improved product mix resulting from our product portfolio initiatives discussed above. Operating income in 2014 included $3.3 million of severance and restructuring costs. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs recognized in 2013.

2013 Compared to 2012

Enterprise Connectivity revenues decreased in 2013 from 2012 due to lower copper costs, which resulted in an estimated decrease in revenues of approximately $5 million. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in unit sales volume of approximately $1.1 million. An increase in channel inventory mitigated a decrease in volume due to challenging economic conditions, including weak spending on non-residential construction and information technology projects. Favorable currency translation resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $0.2 million.

Operating income increased in 2013 from 2012. Operating income in 2012 included $3.2 million of severance and other restructuring costs and $1.5 million of asset impairment. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs or asset impairment in 2013. The $4.7 million decrease in these costs above contributed to the increase in operating income in 2013 from 2012. The remainder of the increase in operating income was due to the timing of favorable input costs and leverage on the increase in unit sales volume noted above.

Industrial Connectivity Solutions

 

                       Percentage Change  
     2014     2013     2012     2014 vs. 2013     2013 vs. 2012  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues

   $ 682,374      $ 680,643      $ 670,112        0.3     1.6

Operating income

     80,435        92,562        72,366        -13.1     27.9

as a percent of revenues

     11.8     13.6     10.8    

2014 Compared to 2013

Industrial Connectivity revenues increased in 2014 from 2013, primarily due to an increase in unit sales volume of approximately $16.9 million. Sales volume benefited from market share gains in 2014, as well as an increase in channel inventory. The increase in volume was strongest in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe, offset by decreased volume in emerging markets, including Brazil and China. Additionally, the acquisition of Coast in November 2014 contributed approximately $1.6 million of revenues in 2014. A decrease in sales prices due to lower copper costs and unfavorable currency translation resulted in revenue decreases of approximately $8.5 million and $8.3 million, respectively.

Operating income in 2014 included $12.0 million of severance and other restructuring costs. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs in 2013. Excluding these costs, operating income decreased by $0.2 million due to unfavorable product mix and unfavorable currency translation.

2013 Compared to 2012

Industrial Connectivity revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 due to an increase in unit sales volume, including changes in channel inventory, of approximately $19.1 million. We believe sales volume benefited from gains in market share due to the execution of our Market Delivery System. Lower copper costs partially offset the increase in revenues by an estimated $7 million. Unfavorable currency translation resulted in a decrease in revenues of approximately $1.6 million.

 

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Operating income in 2012 included $9.2 million of severance and other restructuring costs and $2.4 million of asset impairment. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs or asset impairment in 2013. The decrease in these costs contributed to the increase in operating income in 2013 from 2012. The remainder of the increase in operating income from 2012 to 2013 was primarily due to improved productivity due to our Lean Enterprise initiatives and leveraging the increase in revenues discussed above.

Industrial IT Solutions

 

                       Percentage Change  
     2014     2013     2012     2014 vs. 2013     2013 vs. 2012  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues

   $ 253,464      $ 231,521      $ 219,679        9.5     5.4

Operating income

     30,803        38,440        32,807        -19.9     17.2

as a percent of revenues

     12.2     16.6     14.9    

2014 Compared to 2013

Industrial IT revenues increased in 2014 from 2013 primarily due to the acquisition of ProSoft, which contributed $31.7 million of revenues in 2014. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in revenues due to lower unit sales volume of approximately $9.4 million. The decrease in sales volume was experienced across all geographic regions. In addition, sales volume in the prior year benefited from several non-recurring projects. Unfavorable currency translation resulted in a decrease in revenues of approximately $0.4 million.

Operating income in 2014 included $7.0 million of severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs, $5.8 million of amortization of intangible assets, and $1.4 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of ProSoft. Operating income in 2013 included $3.2 million of amortization of intangibles and $1.7 million of severance and restructuring costs. Excluding these costs, operating income increased by $1.7 million, primarily due to the acquisition of ProSoft, which contributed approximately $5.0 million of operating income in 2014, which was substantially offset by the impact of lower sales volume.

2013 Compared to 2012

Industrial IT revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 due to an increase in unit sales volume of approximately $6.9 million. We believe sales volume benefited from gains in market share due to the execution of our Market Delivery System. Revenues also increased by approximately $4.9 million due to favorable currency translation.

Operating income increased in 2013 from 2012 primarily due to leveraging the increase in revenues discussed above and improved productivity due to our Lean Enterprise initiatives. Operating income in 2013 included $1.7 million of severance and other restructuring costs, compared to $0.5 million in 2012.

All Other

 

                         Percentage Change  
     2014      2013      2012     2014 vs. 2013     2013 vs. 2012  
    

(In thousands, except percentages)

 

Revenues

   $ —         $ —         $ 97,771        n/a        -100.0

Operating income (loss)

     —           1,278         (32,640     -100.0     103.9

as a percent of revenues

     n/a         n/a         -33.4    

 

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All Other includes the results of our cable operations that conducted business primarily in the consumer electronics end market in China, which we sold in 2012. In 2013, we recorded $1.3 million of operating income due to a favorable resolution with the buyer of those assets regarding the closing date working capital. In 2012, operating loss includes asset impairment and loss on sale of assets of approximately $29.8 million.

Discontinued Operations

In 2012, we sold our Thermax and Raydex cable business for $265.6 million in cash and recognized a pre-tax gain of $211.6 million ($124.7 million net of tax). At the time the transaction closed, we received $265.6 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. In 2014, we recognized a $0.9 million ($0.6 million net of tax) loss from disposal of discontinued operations related to this business as a result of settling the working capital adjustment and other matters. In 2013, we recognized a $1.4 million loss from discontinued operations for income tax expense related to this disposed business.

In 2010, we completed the sale of Trapeze Networks, Inc. (Trapeze) for $152.1 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $88.3 million ($44.8 million after-tax). At the time the transaction closed, we received $136.9 million in cash, and the remaining $15.2 million was placed in escrow as partial security for our indemnity obligations under the sale agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we have collected a partial settlement of $4.2 million from the escrow, and we remain in negotiations with the buyer of Trapeze regarding the status of the escrow and certain claims raised by the buyer. Based on the current status of the negotiations, the amount of the escrow receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheet is $3.8 million, which is our best estimate of the remaining amount to be collected. In 2014, we recognized $0.6 million of income from discontinued operations due to the reversal of an uncertain tax position liability related to this disposed business.

During 2005, we completed the sale of our discontinued communications cable operation in Phoenix, Arizona. In connection with this sale and related tax deductions, we established a reserve for uncertain tax positions. The statute of limitations associated with the tax positions expired in 2012. In 2012, we recognized a net gain of $14.1 million due to the reversal of the uncertain tax positions, which is included in our gain from disposal of discontinued operations. In 2012, we recognized a gain of $4.0 million ($2.6 million net of tax) due to the reversal of the accrued interest and penalties, which is included in our income (loss) from discontinued operations.

See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about these matters.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Significant factors affecting our cash liquidity include (1) cash provided by operating activities, (2) disposals of businesses and tangible assets, (3) cash used for acquisitions, restructuring actions, capital expenditures, share repurchases, dividends, and senior subordinated note repurchases, and (4) our available credit facilities and other borrowing arrangements. We expect our operating activities to generate cash in 2015 and believe our sources of liquidity are sufficient to fund current working capital requirements, capital expenditures, contributions to our retirement plans, share repurchases, senior subordinated note repurchases, quarterly dividend payments, and our short-term operating strategies. However, we may require external financing were we to complete a significant acquisition. Our ability to continue to fund our future needs from business operations could be affected by many factors, including, but not limited to: economic conditions worldwide, customer demand, competitive market forces, customer acceptance of our product mix, and commodities pricing.

 

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The following table is derived from our Consolidated Cash Flow Statements:

 

     Years Ended  
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used for):

     

Operating activities

   $ 194,028       $ 164,601   

Investing activities

     (392,348      (43,284

Financing activities

     337,218         92,763   

Effects of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (11,040      4,129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

  127,858      218,209   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

  613,304      395,095   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$ 741,162    $ 613,304   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $194.0 million in 2014 compared to $164.6 million in 2013. The most significant factor impacting the improvement in net cash provided by operating activities was the change in operating assets and liabilities. In 2014, changes in operating assets and liabilities were a source of cash of $16.9 million, compared to a use of cash of $42.9 million in 2013.

The most significant use of cash for operating activities in 2013 related to taxes. Accrued taxes were a use of cash of $89.4 million in 2013, compared to a source of cash of $9.1 million in 2014. The primary reason for the significant amount of cash used for taxes in 2013 was the planned payments of two significant tax items. First, in 2013, we paid $41.8 million of our estimated tax liability related to the 2012 sale of the Thermax and Raydex cable business. We recognized a $211.6 million pre-tax gain on the sale of this business in 2012. Second, in 2013, we paid $30.0 million to settle a tax sharing agreement dispute with Cooper Industries. We reached the settlement and recognized a $21.0 million tax benefit in 2012.

The improvement in cash flows related to taxes was partially offset by a decrease in net income of $28.9 million.

Net cash used for investing activities totaled $392.3 million in 2014 compared to $43.3 million in 2013. Investing activities in 2014 included payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, of $347.8 million, capital expenditures of $45.5 million, payments related to a previously disposed business of $1.0 million, and the receipt of $1.9 million of proceeds from the sale of tangible assets, primarily equipment in the Broadcast segment. Investing activities in 2013 included capital expenditures of $40.2 million, payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, of $10.0 million, the receipt of proceeds from previously disposed businesses of $3.7 million, and the receipt of $3.2 million of proceeds from the sale of tangible assets, primarily real estate in the Broadcast and Enterprise Connectivity segments.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2014 totaled $337.2 million compared to $92.8 million in 2013. The most significant financing activities in 2014 were the issuance of $200.0 million of 5.25% senior subordinated notes due 2024, the issuance of $256.2 million of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023, and payments under our share repurchase program of $92.2 million. The most significant financing activities in 2013 were the issuance of $388.2 million of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023, the raising of $249.4 million of proceeds under a new term loan due 2020, the repayments of $434.7 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit component and Canadian term loan of our previously outstanding senior secured credit facility, and payments under our share repurchase program of $93.8 million

Our cash and cash equivalents balance was $741.2 million as of December 31, 2014. Of this amount, $139.9 million was held outside of the U.S. in our foreign operations. Substantially all of the foreign cash and cash equivalents are readily convertible into U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies. Our strategic plan does not require the repatriation of foreign cash in order to fund our operations in the U.S., and it is our current intention to permanently reinvest the foreign cash and cash equivalents outside of the U.S. If we were to repatriate the foreign cash to the U.S., we may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes in accordance with applicable U.S. tax rules and regulations as a result of the repatriation.

 

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Our outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2014 consisted of $700.0 million aggregate principal of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2022, $616.3 million aggregate principal of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023, $246.4 million of term loan borrowings due 2020, $200.0 million aggregate principal of 5.25% senior subordinated notes due 2024, and $5.2 million aggregate principal of 9.25% senior subordinated notes due 2019. Additional discussion regarding our various borrowing arrangements is included in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding borrowings under our revolver, and we had $334.7 million in available borrowing capacity.

On January 2, 2015, we acquired Tripwire for approximately $710 million. We utilized cash on hand and $200.0 million of borrowings under our revolver to fund the purchase price. Subsequent to this acquisition, our available borrowing capacity was approximately $134.7 million.

Contractual obligations outstanding at December 31, 2014, have the following scheduled maturities:

 

            Less than      1-3      4-5      More than  
     Total      1 Year      Years      Years      5 Years  
     (In thousands)  

Long-term debt payment obligations (1)(2)

   $ 1,759,396       $ 2,500       $ 5,000       $ 10,221       $ 1,741,675   

Interest payments on long-term debt obligations

     622,823         80,173         160,102         159,535         223,013   

Operating lease obligations (3)

     104,031         23,493         33,429         19,208         27,901   

Purchase obligations (4)

     23,090         23,090         —           —           —     

Other commitments (5)

     10,057         3,788         5,623         646         —     

Pension and other postemployment obligations

     88,772         8,198         19,045         17,972         43,557   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 2,608,169    $ 141,242    $ 223,199    $ 207,582    $ 2,036,146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

As described in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Payment obligations exclude unamortized discounts and premiums.

(2) 

Amounts do not include accrued and unpaid interest. Accrued and unpaid interest related to long-term debt obligations is reflected on a separate line in the table.

(3) 

As described in Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4) 

Includes agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum, or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction.

(5) 

Does not include accounts payable reflected in the financial statements. Includes obligations for uncertain tax positions (see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Our commercial commitments expire or mature as follows:

 

            Less than      1-3      3-5      More than  
     Total      1 Year      Years      Years      5 Years  
     (In thousands)  

Standby financial letters of credit

   $ 8,317       $ 7,158       $ 1,159       $ —            $ —     

Bank guarantees

     1,748         1,642         106         —              —     

Surety bonds

     1,789         1,789         —           —              —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

 

Total

$ 11,854    $ 10,589    $ 1,265    $ —      $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

 

Standby financial letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds are generally issued to secure obligations we have for a variety of commercial reasons such as workers compensation self-insurance programs in several states and the importation and exportation of product. We expect to replace most of these when they expire or mature.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows that are or would be considered material to investors.

Current-Year Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Discussion regarding our adoption of accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events, and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates, and judgments on historical experience, current trends, and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates, and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when all of the following circumstances are satisfied: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) price is fixed or determinable, (3) collectability is reasonably assured, and (4) delivery has occurred. Delivery occurs in the period in which the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products specified in the customer’s purchase order or sales agreement. At times, we enter into arrangements that involve the delivery of multiple elements. For these arrangements, when the elements can be separated, the revenue is allocated to each deliverable based on that element’s relative selling price and recognized based on the period of delivery for each element. Generally, we determine relative selling price using our best estimate of selling price, as we oftentimes do not have vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence of fair value for such arrangements.

At the time of sale, we establish an estimated reserve for trade, promotion, and other special price reductions such as contract pricing, discounts to meet competitor pricing, and on-time payment discounts. We also reserve for, among other things, correction of billing errors, incorrect shipments, and settlement of customer disputes. Customers are allowed to return inventory if and when certain conditions regarding the physical state of the inventory and our approval of the return are met. Certain distribution customers are allowed to return inventory at original cost, in an amount not to exceed three percent of the prior year’s purchases, in exchange for an order of equal or greater value. Until we can process these reductions, corrections, and returns (together, the Adjustments) through individual customer records, we estimate the amount of outstanding Adjustments and recognize them by reducing revenues and accounts receivable. We determine our estimate based on our historical Adjustments as a percentage of revenues and the average time period between the original sale and the issuance of the Adjustments. We also adjust inventory and cost of sales for the estimated level of returns.

 

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We base these estimates on historical and anticipated sales demand, trends in product pricing, and historical and anticipated Adjustments patterns. We make revisions to these estimates in the period in which the facts that give rise to each revision become known. Future market conditions and product transitions might require us to take actions to further reduce prices and increase customer return authorizations. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to measure the Adjustments. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. A 10% change in our sales reserve for such Adjustments as of December 31, 2014 would have affected net income by less than $1 million in 2014.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets resulting from tax credit carryforwards, net operating loss carryforwards, and deductible temporary differences between taxable income on our income tax returns and income before taxes under GAAP. Deferred tax assets generally represent future tax benefits to be received when these carryforwards can be applied against future taxable income or when expenses previously reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements become deductible for income tax purposes. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is required when some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. We are required to estimate taxable income in future years or develop tax strategies that would enable tax asset realization in each taxing jurisdiction and use judgment to determine whether to record a deferred tax asset valuation allowance for part or all of a deferred tax asset.

We consider the weight of all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets associated with net operating losses. We consider the reversals of existing taxable temporary differences as well as projections of future taxable income. We consider the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences to the extent they were of the same character as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. We also consider whether the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences will occur in the same period and jurisdiction as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. The assumptions utilized to estimate our future taxable income are consistent with those assumptions utilized for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment.

We have significant tax credit carryforwards in the U.S. on which we have not recorded a valuation allowance. The utilization of these credits is dependent upon the recognition of both U.S. taxable income as well as income characterized as foreign source under the U.S. tax laws. We expect to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize these tax credits. Furthermore, in 2015 we expect to continue implementation of tax planning strategies that will help generate additional foreign source income in the carryforward period. In addition, we have significant research and development related tax credit carryforwards in Canada on which we have not recorded a valuation allowance. The utilization of these credits is dependent upon the recognition of Canadian taxable income, and we expect to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize these tax credits.

Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions. We establish accruals for uncertain tax positions when we believe that the full amount of the associated tax benefit may not be realized. In the future, if we prevail in matters for which accruals have been established previously or pay amounts in excess of reserves, there could be a material effect on our income tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made. In addition, our foreign subsidiaries’ undistributed income is considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, we do not record a provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes on this foreign income. If this income was not considered to be indefinitely reinvested, it would be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and could materially affect our income tax provision.

 

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Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

We test our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or when indicators of impairment exist. We base our estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are not predictable with precision and therefore are inherently uncertain. Actual future results could differ from these estimates.

We test goodwill annually for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or a business unit one level below an operating segment if discrete financial information for that business is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. However, components within an operating segment are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. We determined that each of our reportable segments (Broadcast, Enterprise, Industrial Connectivity, and Industrial IT) represents an operating segment. Within those operating segments, we have identified reporting units based on whether there is discrete financial information prepared that is regularly reviewed by segment management. As a result of this evaluation, we have identified three reporting units within Broadcast, one reporting unit within Enterprise, four reporting units within Industrial Connectivity, and one reporting unit within Industrial IT for purposes of goodwill impairment testing.

The accounting guidance related to goodwill impairment testing allows for the performance of an optional qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Such an evaluation is made based on the weight of all available evidence and the significance of all identified events and circumstances that may influence the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is required for the reporting unit, as described in the paragraph below. In 2014, we performed a qualitative assessment for six of our reporting units, which collectively represented approximately $258 million of our consolidated goodwill balance. For those reporting units for which we performed a qualitative assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value was greater than the carrying value, and therefore, we did not perform the calculation of fair value for these reporting units as described in the paragraph below.

When we evaluate goodwill for impairment using a quantitative assessment, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. We determine the fair value using an income approach. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows using growth rates and discount rates that are consistent with current market conditions in our industry. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets including goodwill assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and we recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill as a component of operating income. In addition to the income approach, we calculate the fair value of our reporting units under a market approach. The market approach measures the fair value of a reporting unit through analysis of financial multiples (revenues or EBITDA) of comparable businesses. Consideration is given to the financial conditions and operating performance of the reporting unit being valued relative to those publicly-traded companies operating in the same or similar lines of business.

We determined that none of our goodwill was impaired during 2014. The fair values of our three reporting units tested under a quantitative approach were substantially in excess of the carrying values as of our most recent impairment testing date. The assumptions used to estimate fair values were based on the past performance of the reporting unit as well as the projections incorporated in our strategic plan. Significant assumptions included sales growth, profitability, and related cash flows, along with cash flows associated with taxes and capital spending. The discount rate used to estimate fair value was risk adjusted in consideration of the economic conditions in effect at the time of the impairment test. We also considered assumptions that market participants may use. In our quantitative assessments, the discount rates ranged from 10.7% to 11.7% and the long-term growth rates ranged from 4% to 6%. By their nature, these assumptions involve risks and uncertainties, with the primary factor that could have an adverse effect being our assumptions relating to growing revenues consistent with our strategic plan.

 

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We test our indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist primarily of trademarks, for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter. The accounting guidance related to impairment testing for such intangible assets allows for the performance of an optional qualitative assessment, similar to that described above for goodwill. We did not perform any qualitative assessments as part of our indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing for 2014. Rather, we performed a quantitative assessment for each of our trademarks in 2014. Under the quantitative assessments, we determined the fair value of each trademark using a relief from royalty methodology and compared the fair value to the carrying value. We determined that none of our trademarks were impaired during 2014. Significant assumptions to determine fair value included sales growth, royalty rates, and discount rates.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we used to test for impairment losses on goodwill and other intangible assets. However, if actual results are significantly different from our estimates or assumptions, we may have to recognize an impairment charge that could be material.

Definite-lived Intangible Assets

The carrying value of our definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 was $349.6 million. Customer relationships and developed technology are the most significant definite-lived intangible assets recorded, with carrying values of $215.5 million and $110.0 million, respectively, and weighted average amortization periods of 19.6 years and 4.7 years, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. We also have recorded definite-lived intangible assets for certain trademarks, certain in-service research and development projects, and backlog. The assignment of useful lives and the determination of the method of amortization for our definite-lived intangible assets require significant judgments and the use of estimates.

We record amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, the asset is amortized over the best estimate of its useful life. We estimate the useful life based on all relevant information available to us regarding the assets, including information utilized to determine the value of the definite-lived intangible asset. For example, for our customer relationships, we consider historical and projected sales data and related customer attrition rates in order to estimate a useful life. For our developed technology, we give consideration to the product life cycle in order to estimate a useful life.

We determine the amortization method for our definite-lived intangible assets based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. In the event we cannot reliably determine that pattern, we utilize a straight-line amortization method. In order to determine the amortization method, we evaluate all relevant information available to us regarding the assets, including information utilized to determine the value of the definite-lived intangible asset. For example, for customer relationships, we consider historical and projected sales data, customer attrition rates, and our historical experience with key customers of past acquisitions to determine if a pattern of consumption can be derived. If the data examined does not provide a reliably determinable pattern of consumption, then we utilize a straight-line amortization method.

The determinations of useful lives and amortization methods require a significant use of judgment by management. We believe the useful lives assigned and the amortization methods applied are reasonable based on the data available to us. For our existing and prior definite-lived intangible assets, we have not experienced significant differences between our estimates and actual results. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future of the estimates or assumptions we used to develop the useful lives and amortization methods. However, if actual results are significantly different from our estimates or assumptions, we may have to recognize an impairment charge, shorten the useful life assigned to one or more of our definite-lived intangible assets, or change the amortization method assigned to one or more of our definite-lived intangible assets, which could have a material impact on our results. This could occur, for example, if we were to experience significant customer losses or attrition in excess of our estimates or if our product lives were significantly shortened due to technological developments or obsolescence.

 

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As a sensitivity measure, the effect of a 10% decline in the estimated useful life of our definite-lived intangible assets for customer relationships and developed technology would have resulted in an increase in 2014 amortization expense of approximately $1.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

In addition, the testing of definite-lived assets for impairment also requires significant use of judgment and assumptions, particularly as it relates to the identification of asset groups and the determination of fair market value. We test our definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist. For purposes of impairment testing of long-lived assets, we have identified asset groups at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Generally, our asset groups are based on an individual plant or operating facility level. In some circumstances, however, a combination of plants or operating facilities may be considered the asset group due to interdependence of operational activities and cash flows.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Our pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations are dependent on the various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions relate to discount rates, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, health care cost trend rates, mortality tables, and other factors. We base the discount rate assumptions on current investment yields on high-quality corporate long-term bonds. The salary growth assumptions reflect our long-term actual experience and future or near-term outlook. Long-term return on plan assets is determined based on historical portfolio results and management’s expectation of the future economic environment. Our health care cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook, and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Our key assumptions are described in further detail in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and, if in excess of the lesser of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or the fair market value of plan assets, amortized over the estimated future working life of the plan participants.

As a sensitivity measure, the effect of a 50 basis point decline in the assumed discount rate would have resulted in an increase in 2014 net periodic benefit cost of approximately $1.2 million and an increase in the projected benefit obligations as of December 31, 2014 of approximately $21.0 million. A 50 basis point decline in the expected return on plan assets would have resulted in an increase in 2014 net periodic benefit cost of approximately $0.9 million.

Business Combination Accounting

We allocate the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded to goodwill. We use all available information to estimate fair values. We typically engage third party valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of inventories, tangible long-lived assets, and intangible assets other than goodwill. The carrying values of acquired receivables and accounts payable have historically approximated their fair values as of the business combination date. As necessary, we may engage third party specialists to assist in the estimation of fair value for certain liabilities. We adjust the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, typically up to one year after the acquisition closing date as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.

Our purchase price allocation methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities based upon quoted market prices, the carrying value of the acquired assets and widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows and market multiple analyses. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of our fair value estimates, including assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies.

 

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If actual results are materially different than the assumptions we used to determine fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired through a business combination, it is possible that adjustments to the carrying values of such assets and liabilities will have an impact on our net earnings. As of December 31, 2014, the measurement period for the purchase price allocation of our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast is open.

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the acquisition-related information associated with significant acquisitions completed in the last three fiscal years.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from currency exchange rates, certain commodity prices, interest rates, and credit extended to customers. Each of these risks is discussed below.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency risks that arise from normal business operations. These risks include the translation of local currency balances of foreign subsidiaries and transactions denominated in currencies other than a location’s functional currency.

Our investments in certain foreign subsidiaries are recorded in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As these foreign currency denominated investments are translated at the end of each period during consolidation using period-end exchange rates, fluctuations of exchange rates between the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar increase or decrease the value of those investments. These fluctuations and the results of operations for foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates during the year, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period end exchange rates. The assets and liabilities-related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We generally view our investments in international subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar as long-term. As a result, we do not generally use derivatives to manage these net investments.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than a location’s functional currency may produce receivables or payables that are fixed in terms of the amount of foreign currency that will be received or paid. A change in exchange rates between the functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated increases or decreases the expected amount of functional currency cash flows upon settlement of the transaction. That increase or decrease in expected functional currency cash flows is a foreign exchange transaction gain or loss that is included in our operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2014, we recorded approximately $1.4 million of net foreign currency transaction losses.

Generally, the currency in which we sell our products is the same as the currency in which we incur the costs to manufacture our products, resulting in a natural hedge. Our currency exchange rate management strategy primarily involves the use of natural techniques, where possible, such as the offsetting or netting of like-currency cash flows. However, we re-evaluate our strategy as the foreign currency environment changes, and it is possible that we could utilize derivative financial instruments to manage this risk in the future. We did not have any foreign currency derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

Our exposure to currency rate fluctuations primarily relates to exchange rate movements between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, Australian dollar, British pound, and Brazilian real.

 

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Commodity Price Risk

Certain raw materials used by us are subject to price volatility caused by supply conditions, political and economic variables, and other unpredictable factors. The primary purpose of our commodity price management activities is to manage the volatility associated with purchases of commodities in the normal course of business. We do not speculate on commodity prices.

We are exposed to price risk related to our purchase of copper used in our products, although we are generally able to raise selling prices to customers to cover the increase in copper costs. Our copper price management strategy involves the use of natural techniques, where possible, such as purchasing copper for future delivery at fixed prices. We do not generally use commodity price derivatives and did not have any outstanding at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

The following table presents unconditional commodity purchase obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2014. The unconditional purchase obligations will settle during 2015.

 

     Purchase      Fair  
     Amount      Value  
     (In thousands, except average price)  

Unconditional copper purchase obligations:

     

Commitment volume in pounds

     1,538      

Weighted average price per pound

   $ 2.97      
  

 

 

    

Commitment amounts

$ 4,568    $ 4,367   
  

 

 

    

Unconditional aluminum purchase obligations:

Commitment volume in pounds

  700   

Weighted average price per pound

$ 1.10   
  

 

 

    

Commitment amounts

$ 770    $ 745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unconditional purchase obligations

$ 5,338    $ 5,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We are also exposed to price risk related to our purchase of selected commodities derived from petrochemical feedstocks used in our products. We generally purchase these commodities based upon market prices established with the vendors as part of the purchase process. Pricing of these commodities is volatile as they tend to fluctuate with the price of oil. Historically, we have not used commodity financial instruments to hedge prices for commodities derived from petrochemical feedstocks.

Interest Rate Risk

We have occasionally managed our debt portfolio by using interest rate derivative instruments, such as swap agreements, to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating rates. We were not a party to any interest rate derivative instruments as of or for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal amounts by expected maturity dates and fair values as of December 31, 2014.

 

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     Principal Amount by Expected Maturity      Fair  
     2015     Thereafter     Total      Value  
     (In thousands, except interest rates)  

Variable-rate term loan due 2020

   $ 2,500      $ 243,875      $ 246,375       $ 246,375   

Average interest rate

     3.25     3.25     

Fixed-rate senior subordinated notes due 2022

   $ —        $ 700,000      $ 700,000       $ 698,250   

Average interest rate

       5.50     

Fixed-rate senior subordinated notes due 2023

   $ —        $ 616,326      $ 616,326       $ 633,632   

Average interest rate

       5.50     

Fixed-rate senior subordinated notes due 2024

   $ —        $ 200,000      $ 200,000       $ 192,000   

Average interest rate

       5.25     

Fixed-rate senior subordinated notes due 2019

   $ —        $ 5,221      $ 5,221       $ 5,498   

Average interest rate

       9.25     

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to these financial instruments. We place cash and cash equivalents with various high-quality financial institutions throughout the world, and exposure is limited at any one financial institution. Although we do not obtain collateral or other security to support these financial instruments, we evaluate the credit standing of the counterparty financial institutions. As of December 31, 2014, we had $37.9 million in accounts receivable outstanding from Anixter International Inc. This represented approximately 10% of our total accounts receivable outstanding at December 31, 2014. Anixter generally pays all outstanding receivables within thirty to sixty days of invoice receipt.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Belden Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Belden Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule 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 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, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Belden Inc. at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Belden Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 23, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

St. Louis, Missouri

February 23, 2015

 

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     (In thousands, except par value)  
ASSETS   

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 741,162      $ 613,304   

Receivables, net

     379,777        304,204   

Inventories, net

     228,398        207,980   

Deferred income taxes

     22,157        28,767   

Other current assets

     42,656        41,243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

  1,414,150      1,195,498   

Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation

  316,385      300,835   

Goodwill

  943,374      773,048   

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

  461,292      376,976   

Deferred income taxes

  40,652      26,034   

Other long-lived assets

  86,974      79,362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 3,262,827    $ 2,751,753   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$ 272,439    $ 199,897   

Accrued liabilities

  250,420      199,169   

Current maturities of long-term debt

  2,500      2,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

  525,359      401,566   

Long-term debt

  1,765,422      1,364,536   

Postretirement benefits

  122,627      105,924   

Other long-term liabilities

  42,233      43,186   

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share— 2,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding

  —        —     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share— 200,000 shares authorized; 50,335 shares issued; 42,464 and 43,455 shares outstanding at 2014 and 2013, respectively

  503      503   

Additional paid-in capital

  595,389      585,753   

Retained earnings

  621,896      556,214   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (46,031   (29,181

Treasury stock, at cost— 7,871 and 6,880 shares at 2014 and 2013, respectively

  (364,571   (276,748
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

  807,186      836,541   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 3,262,827    $ 2,751,753   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenues

   $ 2,308,265      $ 2,069,193      $ 1,840,739   

Cost of sales

     (1,488,816     (1,364,764     (1,274,142
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

  819,449      704,429      566,597   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  (487,945   (378,009   (345,926

Research and development

  (113,914   (83,277   (65,410

Amortization of intangibles

  (58,426   (50,803   (22,792

Income from equity method investment

  3,955      8,922      9,704   

Asset impairment and loss on sale of assets

  —        —        (33,676
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  163,119      201,262      108,497   

Interest expense

  (82,156   (73,095   (52,038

Interest income

  583      494      1,033   

Loss on debt extinguishment

  —        (1,612   (52,450
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

  81,546      127,049      5,042   

Income tax benefit (expense)

  (7,114   (22,315   38,194   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

  74,432      104,734      43,236   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

  579      (1,421   16,774   

Gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

  (562   —        134,480   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 74,449    $ 103,313    $ 194,490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents:

Basic

  43,273      43,871      45,097   

Diluted

  43,997      44,737      45,942   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per share:

Continuing operations

$ 1.72    $ 2.39    $ 0.96   

Discontinued operations

  0.01      (0.03   0.37   

Disposal of discontinued operations

  (0.01   —        2.98   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 1.72    $ 2.36    $ 4.31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per share:

Continuing operations

$ 1.69    $ 2.34    $ 0.94   

Discontinued operations

  0.01      (0.03   0.36   

Disposal of discontinued operations

  (0.01   —        2.93   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 1.69    $ 2.31    $ 4.23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Net income

   $ 74,449      $ 103,313      $ 194,490   

Foreign currency translation, net of tax of $1.8 million, $2.2 million, and $0.0 million, respectively

     (10,387     (20,720     (1,414

Foreign currency hedging instruments, net of tax of $0.0 million, $0.0 million, and $1.6 million, respectively

     —          —          2,467   

Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $3.6 million, $14.0 million, and $3.2 million, respectively

     (6,463     22,104        (8,909
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

  (16,850   1,384      (7,856
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$ 57,599    $ 104,697    $ 186,634   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 74,449      $ 103,313      $ 194,490   

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

      

Depreciation and amortization

     102,162        94,451        59,355   

Share-based compensation

     18,858        14,854        12,374   

Provision for inventory obsolescence

     6,581        4,623        5,085   

Pension funding less than pension expense

     3,731        2,833        593   

Loss on debt extinguishment

     —          1,612        52,450   

Asset impairment and loss on sale of assets

     —          —          33,676   

Gain on sale of businesses

     —          —          (134,480

Income from equity method investment

     (3,955     (8,922     (9,704

Tax benefit related to share-based compensation

     (6,859     (10,734     (4,119

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     (17,796     5,457        (42,750

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of currency exchange rate changes and acquired businesses:

      

Receivables

     (15,810     (18,132     5,628   

Inventories

     (8,841     2,249        31,706   

Accounts payable

     28,120        12,994        (55,166

Accrued liabilities

     (5,598     31,690        (681

Accrued taxes

     9,058        (89,427     (10,760

Other assets

     10,223        4,542        968   

Other liabilities

     (295     13,198        723   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  194,028      164,601      139,388   

Cash flows from investing activities:

Cash used to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired

  (347,817   (9,979   (860,353

Capital expenditures

  (45,459   (40,209   (41,010

Proceeds from (payments for) disposal of business

  (956   3,735      299,848   

Proceeds from disposal of tangible assets

  1,884      3,169      9,575   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

  (392,348   (43,284   (591,940

Cash flows from financing activities:

Borrowings under credit arrangements

  456,163      637,595      1,149,966   

Payments under share repurchase program

  (92,197   (93,750   (75,000

Proceeds (payments) from exercise of stock options, net of withholding tax payments

  (11,708   (3,019   2,372   

Debt issuance costs paid

  (10,700   (17,376   (15,414

Cash dividends paid

  (8,699   (6,678   (11,441

Payments under borrowing arrangements

  (2,500   (434,743   (593,864

Tax benefit related to share-based compensation

  6,859      10,734      4,119   

Proceeds from settlement of derivatives

  —        —        4,024   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

  337,218      92,763      464,762   

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  (11,040   4,129      333   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

  127,858      218,209      12,543   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

  613,304      395,095      382,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 741,162    $ 613,304    $ 395,095   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity Statements

 

                                           Accumulated        
                   Additional                       Other        
     Common Stock      Paid-In     Retained     Treasury Stock     Comprehensive        
     Shares      Amount      Capital     Earnings     Shares     Amount     Income (Loss)     Total  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2011

     50,335       $ 503       $ 601,484      $ 276,363        (4,510   $ (161,092   $ (22,709   $ 694,549   

Net income

     —           —           —          194,490        —          —          —          194,490   

Foreign currency translation, net of $1.6 million tax

     —           —           —          —          —          —          1,053        1,053   

Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of $3.2 million tax

     —           —           —          —          —          —          (8,909     (8,909
                  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

  (7,856

Exercise of stock options, net of tax withholding forfeitures

  —        —        (8,694   —        243      9,431      —        737   

Conversion of restricted stock units into common stock, net of tax withholding forfeitures

  —        —        (11,103   —        172      8,647      —        (2,456

Share repurchase program

  —        —        —        —        (2,072   (75,000   —        (75,000

Share-based compensation

  —        —        16,493      —        —        —        —        16,493   

Dividends ($0.20 per share)

  —        —        —        (9,097   —        —        —        (9,097
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

  50,335    $ 503    $ 598,180    $ 461,756      (6,167 $ (218,014 $ (30,565 $ 811,860   

Net income

  —        —        —        103,313      —        —        —        103,313   

Foreign currency translation, net of $2.2 million tax

  —        —        —        —        —        —        (20,720   (20,720

Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of $14.0 million tax

  —        —        —        —        —        —        22,104      22,104   
                  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  1,384   

Exercise of stock options, net of tax withholding forfeitures

  —        —        (31,003   —        879      30,819      —        (184

Conversion of restricted stock units into common stock, net of tax withholding forfeitures

  —        —        (7,012   —        120      4,197      —        (2,815

Share repurchase program

  —        —        —        —        (1,712   (93,750   —        (93,750

Share-based compensation

  —        —        25,588      —        —        —        —        25,588   

Dividends ($0.20 per share)

  —        —        —        (8,855   —        —        —        (8,855
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  50,335    $ 503    $ 585,753    $ 556,214      (6,880 $ (276,748 $ (29,181 $ 836,541   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  —        —        —        74,449      —        —        —        74,449   

Foreign currency translation, net of $1.8 million tax

  —        —        —        —        —        —        (10,387   (10,387

Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of $3.6 million tax

  —        —        —        —        —        —        (6,463   (6,463
                  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

  (16,850

Exercise of stock options, net of tax withholding forfeitures

  —        —        (12,123   —        194      2,395      —        (9,728

Conversion of restricted stock units into common stock, net of tax withholding forfeitures

  —        —        (3,958   —        77      1,979      —        (1,979

Share repurchase program

  —        —        —        —        (1,262   (92,197   —        (92,197

Share-based compensation

  —        —        25,717      —        —        —        —        25,717   

Dividends ($0.20 per share)

  —        —        —        (8,767   —        —        —        (8,767
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  50,335    $ 503    $ 595,389    $ 621,896      (7,871 $ (364,571 $ (46,031 $ 807,186   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

Business Description

Belden Inc. (the Company, Belden, we, us, or our) is an innovative signal transmission solutions provider built around four global business platforms – Broadcast Solutions, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions, Industrial Connectivity Solutions, and Industrial IT Solutions. Belden’s comprehensive portfolio of signal transmission solutions provides industry leading secure and reliable transmission of data, sound, and video for mission critical applications.

Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include Belden Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions in consolidation.

Foreign Currency

For international operations with functional currencies other than the United States (U.S.) dollar, we translate assets and liabilities at current exchange rates; we translate income and expenses using average exchange rates. We report the resulting translation adjustments, as well as gains and losses from certain affiliate transactions, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. We include exchange gains and losses on transactions in operating income.

We determine the functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries based upon the currency of the primary economic environment in which each subsidiary operates. Typically, that is determined by the currency in which the subsidiary primarily generates and expends cash. We have concluded that the local currency is the functional currency for all of our material subsidiaries.

Reporting Periods

Our fiscal year and fiscal fourth quarter both end on December 31. Our fiscal first quarter ends on the Sunday falling closest to 91 days after December 31. Our fiscal second and third quarters each have 91 days.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and operating results and the disclosure of contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We make significant estimates with respect to the collectability of receivables, the valuation of inventory, the realization of deferred tax assets, the valuation of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the valuation of contingent liabilities, the calculation of share-based compensation, the calculation of pension and other postretirement benefits expense, and the valuation of acquired businesses.

Reclassifications

We have made certain reclassifications to the 2013 and 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements with no impact to reported net income in order to conform to the 2014 presentation.

 

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Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fair Value Measurement

Accounting guidance for fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources or reflect our own assumptions of market participant valuation. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

 

   

Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we utilized Level 1 inputs to determine the fair value of cash equivalents. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, we utilized Level 3 inputs to determine the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations (see Note 3) and for our annual impairment testing (see Note 10). We did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during 2014.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We classify cash on hand and deposits in banks, including commercial paper, money market accounts, and other investments with an original maturity of three months or less, that we hold from time to time, as cash and cash equivalents. We periodically have cash equivalents consisting of short-term money market funds and other investments. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve our capital for the purpose of funding operations. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. The fair values of these cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $1.2 million and $361.2 million, respectively, and are based on quoted market prices in active markets (i.e., Level 1 valuation).

Accounts Receivable

We classify amounts owed to us and due within twelve months, arising from the sale of goods or services in the normal course of business, as current receivables. We classify receivables due after twelve months as other long-lived assets.

At the time of sale, we establish an estimated reserve for trade, promotion, and other special price reductions such as contract pricing, discounts to meet competitor pricing, and on-time payment discounts. We also adjust receivable balances for, among other things, correction of billing errors, incorrect shipments, and settlement of customer disputes. Customers are allowed to return inventory if and when certain conditions regarding the physical state of the inventory and our approval of the return are met. Certain distribution customers are allowed to return inventory at original cost, in an amount not to exceed three percent of the prior year’s purchases, in exchange for an order of equal or greater value. Until we can process these reductions, corrections, and returns (together, the Adjustments) through individual customer records, we estimate the amount of outstanding Adjustments and recognize them by reducing revenues and accounts receivable. We also adjust inventory and cost of sales for the estimated level of returns. We base these estimates on historical and anticipated sales demand, trends in product pricing, and historical and anticipated Adjustments patterns. We make revisions to these estimates in the period in which the facts that give rise to each revision become known. Future market conditions might require us to take actions to further reduce prices and increase customer return authorizations. Unprocessed Adjustments recognized against our gross accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $17.6 million and $18.2 million, respectively.

 

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We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on the specific identification method. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the realizability of accounts receivable, including the current creditworthiness of each customer and related aging of the past due balances. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. Through these evaluations, we may become aware of a situation where a customer may not be able to meet its financial obligations due to deterioration of its financial viability, credit ratings, or bankruptcy. We record a specific reserve for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the receivable to its estimated collectible balance. We recognized bad debt expense, net of recoveries, of $0.3 million, $0.2 million, and $1.9 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $11.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

Inventories and Related Reserves

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We determine the cost of all raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods inventories by the first in, first out method. Cost components of inventories include direct labor, applicable production overhead, and amounts paid to suppliers of materials and products as well as freight costs and, when applicable, duty costs to import the materials and products.

We evaluate the realizability of our inventory on a product-by-product basis in light of historical and anticipated sales demand, technological changes, product life cycle, component cost trends, product pricing, and inventory condition. In circumstances where inventory levels are in excess of anticipated market demand, where inventory is deemed technologically obsolete or not saleable due to condition, or where inventory cost exceeds net realizable value, we record a charge to cost of sales and reduce the inventory to its net realizable value. The allowances for excess and obsolete inventories at December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $31.8 million and $21.3 million, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment

We record property, plant and equipment at cost. We calculate depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ranging from 10 to 40 years for buildings, 5 to 12 years for machinery and equipment, and 5 to 10 years for computer equipment and software. Construction in process reflects amounts incurred for the configuration and build-out of property, plant and equipment and for property, plant and equipment not yet placed into service. We charge maintenance and repairs—both planned major activities and less-costly, ongoing activities—to expense as incurred. We capitalize interest costs associated with the construction of capital assets and amortize the costs over the assets’ useful lives. Depreciation expense is included in costs of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; and research and development expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the specific categorization and use of the underlying assets being depreciated.

We review property, plant and equipment to determine whether an event or change in circumstances indicates the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable. We base our evaluation on the nature of the assets, the future economic benefit of the assets, and any historical or future profitability measurements, as well as other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, we determine whether impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flow analysis. If impairment has occurred, we recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset (see Note 9).

 

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For purposes of impairment testing of long-lived assets, we have identified asset groups at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Generally, our asset groups are based on an individual plant or operating facility level. In some circumstances, however, a combination of plants or operating facilities may be considered the asset group due to interdependence of operational activities and cash flows.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets consist of (a) definite-lived assets subject to amortization such as developed technology, customer relationships, certain in-service research and development, certain trademarks, and backlog, and (b) indefinite-lived assets not subject to amortization such as goodwill, certain in-process research and development, and certain trademarks. We record amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which generally range from one year or less for backlog to more than 25 years for certain of our customer relationships. We determine the amortization method for our definite-lived intangible assets based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. In the event we cannot reliably determine that pattern, we utilize a straight-line amortization method.

We test our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or when indicators of impairment exist. We base our estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are not predictable with precision and therefore are inherently uncertain. Actual future results could differ from these estimates.

The accounting guidance related to goodwill impairment testing allows for the performance of an optional qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Such an evaluation is made based on the weight of all available evidence and the significance of all identified events and circumstances that may influence the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is required for the reporting unit, as described in the paragraph below. In 2014, we performed a qualitative assessment for six of our reporting units, which collectively represented approximately $258 million of our consolidated goodwill balance. For those reporting units for which we performed a qualitative assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value was greater than the carrying value, and therefore, we did not perform the calculation of fair value for these reporting units as described in the paragraph below.

For our annual impairment test in 2014, we performed a quantitative assessment for three of our reporting units. Under a quantitative assessment for goodwill impairment, we determine the fair value using the income approach (using Level 3 inputs) as reconciled to our aggregate market capitalization. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets including goodwill assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and we recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill as a component of operating income. In addition to the income approach, we calculate the fair value of our reporting units under a market approach. The market approach measures the fair value of a reporting unit through analysis of financial multiples (revenues or EBITDA) of comparable businesses. Consideration is given to the financial conditions and operating performance of the reporting unit being valued relative to those publicly-traded companies operating in the same or similar lines of business. The fair values of the three reporting units tested under a quantitative approach were substantially in excess of the carrying values as of the impairment testing date.

We did not recognize any goodwill impairment in 2014, 2013, or 2012. See Note 10 for further discussion.

 

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We also evaluate indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually or at other times if events have occurred or circumstances exist that indicate the carrying values of those assets may no longer be recoverable. We compare the fair value of the asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to that excess. We did not recognize impairment charges for our indefinite lived intangible assets in 2014 or 2013. During 2012, we recognized an impairment charge of $5.2 million on trademarks related to our cable operations in China that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market, which we disposed of in 2012. See Note 10 for further discussion.

We review intangible assets subject to amortization whenever an event or change in circumstances indicates the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable. We test intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment and estimate their fair values using the same assumptions and techniques we employ on property, plant and equipment. We did not recognize any impairment charges for amortizable intangible assets in 2014 or in 2013. During 2012, we recognized an impairment charge of $6.8 million on customer relationships related to our cable operations in China that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market, which we disposed of in 2012.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Our pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations are dependent on the various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions relate to discount rates, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, health care cost trend rates, mortality tables, and other factors. We base the discount rate assumptions on current investment yields on high-quality corporate long-term bonds. The salary growth assumptions reflect our long-term actual experience and future or near-term outlook. We determine the long-term return on plan assets based on historical portfolio results and management’s expectation of the future economic environment. Our health care cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook, and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and, if in excess of the lesser of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or the fair market value of plan assets, are amortized over the estimated future working life of the plan participants.

Accrued Sales Rebates

We grant incentive rebates to participating customers as part of our sales programs. The rebates are determined based on certain targeted sales volumes. Rebates are paid quarterly or annually in either cash or receivables credits. Until we can process these rebates through individual customer records, we estimate the amount of outstanding rebates and recognize them as accrued liabilities and reductions in our gross revenues. We base our estimates on both historical and anticipated sales demand and rebate program participation. We charge revisions to these estimates back to accrued liabilities and revenues in the period in which the facts that give rise to each revision become known. Future market conditions and product transitions might require us to take actions to increase sales rebates offered, possibly resulting in an incremental increase in accrued liabilities and an incremental reduction in revenues at the time the rebate is offered. Accrued sales rebates at December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $31.5 million and $34.3 million, respectively.

Contingent Liabilities

We have established liabilities for environmental and legal contingencies that are probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable, the amounts of which are currently not material. A significant amount of judgment and use of estimates is required to quantify our ultimate exposure in these matters. We review the valuation of these liabilities on a quarterly basis, and we adjust the balances to account for changes in circumstances for ongoing and emerging issues.

We accrue environmental remediation costs based on estimates of known environmental remediation exposures developed in consultation with our environmental consultants and legal counsel, the amounts of which are not currently material. We expense environmental compliance costs, which include maintenance and

 

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operating costs with respect to ongoing monitoring programs, as incurred. We evaluate the range of potential costs to remediate environmental sites. The ultimate cost of site clean-up is difficult to predict given the uncertainties of our involvement in certain sites, uncertainties regarding the extent of the required clean-up, the availability of alternative clean-up methods, variations in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, the possibility of insurance recoveries with respect to certain sites, and other factors.

We are, from time to time, subject to routine litigation incidental to our business. These lawsuits primarily involve claims for damages arising out of the use of our products, allegations of patent or trademark infringement, and litigation and administrative proceedings involving employment matters and commercial disputes. Assessments regarding the ultimate cost of lawsuits require judgments concerning matters such as the anticipated outcome of negotiations, the number and cost of pending and future claims, and the impact of evidentiary requirements. Based on facts currently available, we believe the disposition of the claims that are pending or asserted will not have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

Business Combination Accounting

We allocate the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded to goodwill. We use all available information to estimate fair values. We typically engage third party valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of inventories, tangible long-lived assets, and intangible assets other than goodwill. The carrying values of acquired receivables and accounts payable have historically approximated their fair values as of the business combination date. As necessary, we may engage third party specialists to assist in the estimation of fair value for certain liabilities, such as deferred revenue or postretirement benefit liabilities. We adjust the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, typically up to one year after the acquisition closing date as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when all of the following circumstances are satisfied: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) price is fixed or determinable, (3) collectability is reasonably assured, and (4) delivery has occurred. Delivery occurs in the period in which the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products specified in the customer’s purchase order or sales agreement. At times, we enter into arrangements that involve the delivery of multiple elements. For these arrangements, when the elements can be separated, the revenue is allocated to each deliverable based on that element’s relative selling price and recognized based on the period of delivery for each element. Generally, we determine relative selling price using our best estimate of selling price, as we oftentimes do not have vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence of fair value for such arrangements.

We record revenue net of estimated rebates, price allowances, invoicing adjustments, and product returns. We record revisions to these estimates in the period in which the facts that give rise to each revision become known.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes our total cost of inventory sold during the period, including material, labor, production overhead costs, variable manufacturing costs, and fixed manufacturing costs. Production overhead costs include operating supplies, applicable utility expenses, maintenance costs, and scrap. Variable manufacturing costs include inbound, interplant, and outbound freight, inventory shrinkage, and charges for excess and obsolete inventory. Fixed manufacturing costs include the costs associated with our purchasing, receiving, inspection, warehousing, distribution centers, production and inventory control, and manufacturing management.

 

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Shipping and Handling Costs

We recognize fees earned on the shipment of product to customers as revenues and recognize costs incurred on the shipment of product to customers as a cost of sales.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include expenses not directly related to the production of inventory. They include all expenses related to selling and marketing our products, as well as the salary and benefit costs of associates performing the selling and marketing functions. Selling, general, and administrative expenses also include salary and benefit costs, purchased services, and other costs related to our executive and administrative functions.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $21.8 million, $17.8 million, and $16.3 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

We compensate certain employees and non-employee directors with various forms of share-based payment awards and recognize compensation costs for these awards based on their fair values. We estimate the fair values of certain awards on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula, which incorporates certain assumptions regarding the expected term of an award and expected stock price volatility. We develop the expected term assumption based on the vesting period and contractual term of an award, our historical exercise and cancellation experience, our stock price history, plan provisions that require exercise or cancellation of awards after employees terminate, and the extent to which currently available information indicates that the future is reasonably expected to differ from past experience. We develop the expected volatility assumption based on historical price data for our common stock. After calculating the aggregate fair value of an award, we use an estimated forfeiture rate to discount the amount of share-based compensation cost to be recognized in our operating results over the service period of the award. We develop the forfeiture assumption based on our historical pre-vesting cancellation experience.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided based on earnings reported for financial statement purposes. The provision for income taxes differs from the amounts currently payable to taxing authorities because of the recognition of revenues and expenses in different periods for income tax purposes than for financial statement purposes. Income taxes are provided as if operations in all countries, including the U.S., were stand-alone businesses filing separate tax returns. We have determined that all undistributed earnings from our international subsidiaries will not be remitted to the U.S. in the foreseeable future and, therefore, no additional provision for U.S. taxes has been made on foreign earnings.

We recognize deferred tax assets resulting from tax credit carryforwards, net operating loss carryforwards, and deductible temporary differences between taxable income on our income tax returns and pretax income on our financial statements. Deferred tax assets generally represent future tax benefits to be received when these carryforwards can be applied against future taxable income or when expenses previously reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements become deductible for income tax purposes. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is required when some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized.

 

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Our effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory tax rates, and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our effective tax rate and in evaluating our tax positions. We establish accruals for uncertain tax positions when we believe that the full amount of the associated tax benefit may not be realized. To the extent we were to prevail in matters for which accruals have been established or would be required to pay amounts in excess of reserves, there could be a material effect on our income tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. From time to time, we manage a portion of this risk through the use of derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to foreign currency risk. We do not hold or issue any derivative instrument for trading or speculative purposes.

We report all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Foreign currency derivative instruments may be designated as a hedge of our net investment in certain foreign operations. If a derivative is designated as a net investment hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation component of equity. Any ineffectiveness is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We had no outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Current-Year Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2014, we adopted new accounting guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) with regard to the presentation of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Pending Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the ASU), which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The ASU will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2017, and allows for both retrospective and modified retrospective methods of adoption. We are in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the impact of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued disclosure guidance that requires us to evaluate, at each annual and interim period, whether substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern, and if applicable, to provide related disclosures. The new guidance will be effective for us for the year ending December 31, 2016. This guidance is not currently expected to have a material effect on our financial statement disclosures upon adoption, although the ultimate impact will be dependent on our financial condition and expected operating outlook at such time.

Note 3: Acquisitions

Coast Wire and Plastic Tech

We acquired 100% of the outstanding ownership interest in Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC (Coast) on November 20, 2014 for cash of $36.0 million. Coast is a developer and manufacturer of customized wire and cable solutions used in high-end medical device, military and defense, and industrial applications. Coast is located in Carson, California. The results of Coast have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from November 20, 2014, and are reported within the Industrial Connectivity segment. The Coast acquisition was not material to our financial position or results of operations reported as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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ProSoft Technology, Inc.

We acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft) on June 11, 2014 for cash of $104.1 million. ProSoft is a leading manufacturer of industrial networking products that translate between disparate automation systems, including the various protocols used by different automation vendors. The results of ProSoft have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from June 11, 2014, and are reported within the Industrial IT segment. ProSoft is headquartered in Bakersfield, California. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of June 11, 2014 (in thousands).

 

Cash

$ 2,517   

Receivables

  5,559   

Inventories

  3,624   

Other current assets

  240   

Property, plant and equipment

  1,076   

Goodwill

  56,193   

Intangible assets

  40,800   

Other non-current assets

  622   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 110,631   
  

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$ 2,851   

Accrued liabilities

  2,545   

Other non-current liabilities

  1,132   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

$ 6,528   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

$ 104,103   
  

 

 

 

The above purchase price allocation is preliminary and is subject to revision as additional information about the fair value of individual assets and liabilities becomes available. We are in the process of ensuring our accounting policies are applied at ProSoft. The preliminary measurement of receivables; inventories; property, plant and equipment; goodwill; deferred income taxes; and other assets and liabilities are subject to change. A change in the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired will change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill.

The fair value of acquired receivables is $5.6 million, with a gross contractual amount of $6.2 million. We do not expect to collect $0.6 million of the acquired receivables.

A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The judgments we have used in estimating the fair values assigned to each class of acquired assets and assumed liabilities could materially affect the results of our operations.

For purposes of the above allocation, we have estimated a fair value adjustment for inventories based on the estimated selling price of the work-in-process and finished goods acquired at the closing date less the sum of the costs to complete the work-in-process, the costs of disposal, and a reasonable profit allowance for our post acquisition selling efforts. We used various valuation methods including discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets (Level 3 valuation).

 

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Goodwill and other intangible assets reflected above were determined to meet the criterion for recognition apart from tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce. The expected synergies for the ProSoft acquisition primarily consist of expanded access to the Industrial IT market and channel partners. Our tax basis in the acquired goodwill is $56.2 million. The goodwill balance we recorded is deductible for tax purposes over a period of 15 years up to the amount of the tax basis. The intangible assets related to the acquisition consisted of the following:

 

     Fair Value      Amortization
Period
 
     (In thousands)      (In years)  

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

     

Customer relationships

   $ 26,600         20.0   

Developed technologies

     9,000         5.0   

Trademarks

     5,000         5.0   

Backlog

     200         0.3   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

  40,800   
  

 

 

    

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

Goodwill

  56,193   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets not subject to amortization

  56,193   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets

$ 96,993   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average amortization period

  14.8   
     

 

 

 

The amortizable intangible assets reflected in the table above were determined by us to have finite lives. The useful life for the developed technologies intangible asset was based on the estimated time that the technology provides us with a competitive advantage and thus approximates the period of consumption of the intangible asset. The useful life for the customer relationship intangible asset was based on our forecasts of customer turnover. The useful life for the trademarks was based on the period of time we expect to continue to go to market using the trademarks. The useful life of the backlog intangible asset was based on our estimate of when the ordered items would ship.

Our revenues and income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 included $31.7 million and $(2.5) million, respectively, from ProSoft. Included in our income from continuing operations before taxes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 are $1.4 million of cost of sales related to the adjustment of inventory to fair value and $2.4 million of amortization of intangible assets.

Grass Valley

We acquired 100% of the outstanding ownership interest in Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l., (collectively, Grass Valley) on March 31, 2014 for cash of $218.2 million. Grass Valley is a leading provider of innovative technologies for the broadcast industry, including production switchers, cameras, servers, and editing solutions. Grass Valley is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, with significant locations throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. The results of Grass Valley have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from March 31, 2014, and are reported within the Broadcast segment. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands).

 

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Cash

$ 9,441   

Receivables

  68,766   

Inventories

  19,984   

Deferred taxes

  1,355   

Other current assets

  4,172   

Property, plant and equipment

  22,661   

Goodwill

  119,589   

Intangible assets

  95,500   

Other non-current assets

  17,108   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 358,576   
  

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$ 51,276   

Accrued liabilities

  57,374   

Deferred revenue

  14,000   

Postretirement benefits

  16,538   

Other non-current liabilities

  1,199   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

$ 140,387   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

$ 218,189   
  

 

 

 

The above purchase price allocation is preliminary, and is subject to revision as additional information about the fair value of individual assets and liabilities becomes available. We are in the process of ensuring our accounting policies are applied at Grass Valley. The preliminary measurement of receivables; inventories; property, plant and equipment; goodwill; deferred income taxes; and other assets and liabilities are subject to change. A change in the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired will change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill.

The fair value of acquired receivables is $68.8 million, with a gross contractual amount of $77.9 million. We do not expect to collect $9.1 million of the acquired receivables.

A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The judgments we have used in estimating the fair values assigned to each class of acquired assets and assumed liabilities could materially affect the results of our operations.

For purposes of the above allocation, we have estimated a fair value adjustment for inventories based on the estimated selling price of the work-in-process and finished goods acquired at the closing date less the sum of the costs to complete the work-in-process, the costs of disposal, and a reasonable profit allowance for our post acquisition selling efforts. We based our estimate of the fair value for the acquired property, plant and equipment on a valuation study performed by a third party valuation firm. We used various valuation methods including discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets (Level 3 valuation).

Goodwill and other intangible assets reflected above were determined to meet the criterion for recognition apart from tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce. The expected synergies for the Grass Valley acquisition primarily consist of cost savings from the ability to consolidate existing and acquired operating facilities and other support functions, as well as expanded access to the Broadcast market. Our estimated tax basis in the acquired goodwill is $119.6 million. The goodwill balance we recorded is deductible for tax purposes over a period of 15 years up to the amount of the tax basis. The intangible assets related to the acquisition consisted of the following:

 

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     Fair Value      Amortization
Period
 
     (In thousands)      (In years)  

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

     

Developed technologies

   $ 37,000         5.0   

Customer relationships

     27,000         15.0   

Backlog

     1,500         0.3   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

  65,500   
  

 

 

    

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

Goodwill

  119,589   

Trademarks

  22,000   

In-process research and development

  8,000   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets not subject to amortization

  149,589   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets

$ 215,089   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average amortization period

  9.0   
     

 

 

 

The amortizable intangible assets reflected in the table above were determined by us to have finite lives. The useful life for the developed technologies intangible asset was based on the estimated time that the technology provides us with a competitive advantage and thus approximates the period of consumption of the intangible asset. The useful life for the customer relationship intangible asset was based on our forecasts of customer turnover. The useful life of the backlog intangible asset was based on our estimate of when the ordered items would ship.

Trademarks have been determined by us to have indefinite lives and are not being amortized, based on our expectation that the trademarked products will generate cash flows for us for an indefinite period. We expect to maintain use of trademarks on existing products and introduce new products in the future that will also display the trademarks, thus extending their lives indefinitely. In-process research and development assets are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. Upon completion of the development process, we will make a determination of the useful life of the asset and begin amortizing the assets over that period. If the project is abandoned, we will write-off the asset at such time.

Our revenues and income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 included $196.2 million and $(58.5) million, respectively, from Grass Valley. Included in our income from continuing operations before taxes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 are $6.9 million of cost of sales related to the adjustment of inventory to fair value and $8.6 million of amortization of intangible assets. We also recognized certain severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 related to Grass Valley. See Note 12.

The following table illustrates the unaudited pro forma effect on operating results as if the Grass Valley and ProSoft acquisitions had been completed as of January 1, 2013.

 

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     Year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 2,401,200       $ 2,420,099   

Income from continuing operations

     67,956         66,874   

Diluted income per share from continuing operations

   $ 1.54       $ 1.49   

For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the year ended December 31, 2013 includes nonrecurring expenses from the effects of purchase accounting, including the cost of sales arising from the adjustments of inventory to fair value of $8.3 million, amortization of the sales backlog intangible assets of $1.7 million, and Belden’s transaction costs of $1.6 million.

The above unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what our results of operations would have been had we completed the acquisition on the date assumed, nor is it necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. Pro forma adjustments exclude cost savings from any synergies resulting from the acquisition.

Softel Limited

We acquired Softel Limited (Softel) for $9.1 million, net of cash acquired, on January 25, 2013. Softel is a key technology supplier to the media sector with a portfolio of technologies well aligned with industry trends and growing demand. Softel is located in the United Kingdom. The results of Softel have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from January 25, 2013, and are reported within the Broadcast segment. The Softel acquisition was not material to our financial position or results of operations reported as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.

PPC Broadband, Inc.

We acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of PPC Broadband, Inc. (PPC) in exchange for cash of $522.4 million on December 10, 2012. PPC is a leading manufacturer and developer of advanced connectivity technologies for the broadband market and expands our solution offerings in the broadband end-market. PPC is headquartered in Syracuse, New York. PPC’s strong brands and technology enhance our portfolio of broadband products. The results of PPC have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from December 10, 2012, and are reported within the Broadcast segment. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of December 10, 2012 (in thousands).

 

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Cash

$ 6,874   

Receivables

  26,612   

Inventories

  45,465   

Other current assets

  868   

Property, plant and equipment

  26,856   

Goodwill

  277,091   

Intangible assets

  164,500   

Other non-current assets

  1,308   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 549,574   
  

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$ 22,499   

Accrued liabilities

  4,104   

Other long-term liabilities

  579   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

$ 27,182   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

$ 522,392   
  

 

 

 

A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The judgments we have used in estimating the fair values assigned to each class of acquired assets and assumed liabilities could materially affect the results of our operations.

The fair value of acquired receivables is $26.6 million, with a gross contractual amount of $27.7 million. We do not expect to collect $1.1 million of the acquired receivables.

For purposes of the above allocation, we have estimated a fair value adjustment for inventories based on the estimated selling price of the work-in-process and finished goods acquired at the closing date less the sum of the costs to complete the work-in-process, the costs of disposal, and a reasonable profit allowance for our post acquisition selling efforts. We based our estimate of the fair value for the acquired property, plant and equipment on a valuation study performed by a third party valuation firm. We used various valuation methods including discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets.

Goodwill and other intangible assets reflected above were determined to meet the criterion for recognition apart from tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce. The expected synergies for the PPC acquisition primarily consist of cost savings from the ability to consolidate existing and acquired operating facilities and other support functions. Our tax basis in the acquired goodwill is $277.1 million. The goodwill balance we recorded is deductible for tax purposes up to the amount of the tax basis. Intangible assets related to the PPC acquisition consisted of the following:

 

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     Fair Value      Amortization
Period
 
     (In thousands)      (In years)  

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

     

Developed technologies

   $ 76,000         5.0   

Customer relationships

     55,000         20.0   

Backlog

     1,500         0.5   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

  132,500   
  

 

 

    

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

Goodwill

  277,091   

In-process research and development

  5,000   

Trademarks

  27,000   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets not subject to amortization

  309,091   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets

$ 441,591   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average amortization period

  11.2   
     

 

 

 

Trademarks have been determined by us to have indefinite lives and are not being amortized, based on our expectation that the trademarked products will generate cash flows for us for an indefinite period. We expect to maintain use of trademarks on existing products and introduce new products in the future that will also display the trademarks, thus extending their lives indefinitely. In-process research and development assets are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. Upon completion of the development process, we will make a determination of the useful life of the asset and begin amortizing the assets over that period. If the project is abandoned, we will write-off the asset at such time.

The amortizable intangible assets reflected in the table above were determined by us to have finite lives. The useful life for the developed technologies intangible asset was based on the estimated time that the technology provides us with a competitive advantage and thus approximates the period of consumption of the intangible asset. The useful life for the customer relationship intangible asset was based on our forecasts of customer turnover. The useful life of the backlog intangible asset was based on our estimate of when the ordered items would ship.

Miranda Technologies Inc.

We acquired 97.37% of the shares of Miranda Technologies Inc. (Miranda) for cash of $364.8 million on July 27, 2012, and we acquired the remaining 2.63% of shares of Miranda for cash of $9.9 million on July 30, 2012. Miranda is a leading provider of hardware and software solutions for the broadcast infrastructure industry and expands our solution offerings in the broadcast end-market. Miranda is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Miranda’s strong brands and technology enhance our portfolio of broadcast products. The results of Miranda have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from July 27, 2012, and are reported within the Broadcast segment. The impact of the noncontrolling interest from July 27, 2012 to July 30, 2012 was not material to our financial position or results of operations. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of July 27, 2012 (in thousands).

 

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Cash

$ 33,324   

Receivables

  27,592   

Inventories

  31,109   

Other current assets

  1,924   

Property, plant and equipment

  23,930   

Goodwill

  161,206   

Intangible assets

  159,991   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 439,076   
  

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$ 23,917   

Accrued liabilities

  5,730   

Current deferred tax liabilities

  844   

Other long-term liabilities

  8,699   

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

  25,207   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

$ 64,397   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

$ 374,679   
  

 

 

 

A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The judgments we have used in estimating the fair values assigned to each class of acquired assets and assumed liabilities could materially affect the results of our operations.

The fair value of acquired receivables is $27.6 million, with a gross contractual amount of $28.3 million. We do not expect to collect $0.7 million of the acquired receivables.

For purposes of the above allocation, we have estimated a fair value adjustment for inventories based on the estimated selling price of the work-in-process and finished goods acquired at the closing date less the sum of the costs to complete the work-in-process, the costs of disposal, and a reasonable profit allowance for our post acquisition selling efforts. We based our estimate of the fair value for the acquired property, plant and equipment on a valuation study performed by a third party valuation firm. We used various valuation methods including discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets.

Goodwill and other intangible assets reflected above were determined to meet the criterion for recognition apart from tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce. The primary expected synergy for the Miranda acquisition is due to expanded access to the broadcast market, which we expect will generate significant opportunities to sell our existing product lines to Miranda’s existing customers. None of the goodwill related to the Miranda acquisition is deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets related to the acquisition consisted of the following:

 

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            Amortization  
     Fair Value      Period  
     (In thousands)      (In years)  

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

     

Developed technologies

   $ 69,132         4.0   

Customer relationships

     44,442         20.0   

Backlog

     3,950         1.0   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

  117,524   
  

 

 

    

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

Goodwill

  161,206   

Trademarks

  35,554   

In-process research and development

  6,913   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets not subject to amortization

  203,673   
  

 

 

    

Total intangible assets

$ 321,197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average amortization period

  9.9   
     

 

 

 

Trademarks have been determined by us to have indefinite lives and are not being amortized, based on our expectation that the trademarked products will generate cash flows for us for an indefinite period. We expect to maintain use of trademarks on existing products and introduce new products in the future that will also display the trademarks, thus extending their lives indefinitely. In-process research and development assets are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. Upon completion of the development process, we will make a determination of the useful life of the asset and begin amortizing the assets over that period. If the project is abandoned, we will write-off the asset at such time.

The amortizable intangible assets reflected in the table above were determined by us to have finite lives. The useful life for the developed technologies intangible asset was based on the estimated time that the technology provides us with a competitive advantage and thus approximates the period of consumption of the intangible asset. The useful life for the customer relationship intangible asset was based on our forecasts of customer turnover. The useful life of the backlog intangible asset was based on our estimate of when the ordered items would ship.

Pro forma – Miranda and PPC

The following table illustrates the unaudited pro forma effect on operating results as if the Miranda and PPC acquisitions had been completed as of January 1, 2011.

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2012  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $  2,163,302   

Income from continuing operations

     78,827   

Diluted income per share from continuing operations

   $ 1.72   

 

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For purposes of the unaudited pro forma disclosures, the year ended December 31, 2012 reflects interest expense from the term loan borrowed to finance the acquisition of Miranda and from the borrowings under our senior secured credit facility to finance the acquisition of PPC.

The above unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what our results of operations would have been had we completed the acquisitions on the date assumed, nor is it necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. Pro forma adjustments exclude cost savings from any synergies resulting from the acquisitions.

Note 4: Discontinued Operations

In 2012, we sold our Thermax and Raydex cable business for $265.6 million in cash and recognized a pre-tax gain of $211.6 million ($124.7 million net of tax). At the time the transaction closed, we received $265.6 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. In 2014, we recognized a $0.9 million ($0.6 million net of tax) loss from disposal of discontinued operations related to this business as a result of settling the working capital adjustment and other matters. In 2013, we recognized a $1.4 million loss from discontinued operations for income tax expense related to this disposed business.

In 2010, we completed the sale of Trapeze Networks, Inc. (Trapeze) for $152.1 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $88.3 million ($44.8 million after-tax). At the time the transaction closed, we received $136.9 million in cash, and the remaining $15.2 million was placed in escrow as partial security for our indemnity obligations under the sale agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we have collected a partial settlement of $4.2 million from the escrow, and we remain in negotiations with the buyer of Trapeze regarding the status of the escrow and certain claims raised by the buyer. Based on the current status of the negotiations, the amount of the escrow receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheet is $3.8 million, which is our best estimate of the remaining amount to be collected. In 2014, we recognized $0.6 million of income from discontinued operations due to the reversal of an uncertain tax position liability related to this disposed business.

During 2005, we completed the sale of our discontinued communications cable operation in Phoenix, Arizona. In connection with this sale and related tax deductions, we established a reserve for uncertain tax positions. The statute of limitations associated with the tax positions expired in 2012. In 2012, we recognized a net gain of $14.1 million due to the reversal of the uncertain tax positions, which is included in our gain from disposal of discontinued operations. In 2012, we recognized a gain of $4.0 million ($2.6 million net of tax) due to the reversal of the accrued interest and penalties, which is included in our income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Operating results from discontinued operations for 2012 included the following revenues and income before taxes:

 

     2012  
            Income before  
     Revenues      Taxes  
     (In thousands)  

Thermax and Raydex

   $ 95,668       $ 21,479   

Phoenix Communications

     —           3,980   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 95,668    $ 25,459   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 5: Operating Segments and Geographic Information

In 2013, we re-organized the Company around four global business platforms: Broadcast, Enterprise Connectivity, Industrial Connectivity, and Industrial IT. Previously, we were organized around geographic regions. The re-organization was executed as a result of our transformation into a global provider of

 

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comprehensive signal transmission solutions. We believe the new organization will allow us to better capitalize on market opportunities and meet customer demands. We have determined that each of the global business platforms represents a reportable segment. We have revised the prior period segment information to conform to the change in the composition of our reportable segments. The All Other segment represents the financial results of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market, which we sold in December 2012.

The segments design, manufacture, and market a portfolio of signal transmission solutions for mission critical applications used in a variety of end markets, including broadcast, enterprise, and industrial. We sell the products manufactured by our segments principally through distributors or directly to systems integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), end-users, and installers.

We evaluate segment performance based on operating income, working capital, and organic growth. Operating income of the segments includes all the ongoing costs of operations, but excludes interest and income taxes. Transactions between the segments are conducted on an arms-length basis. We allocate corporate expenses to the segments for purposes of measuring segment operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated on the basis of each segment’s relative operating income prior to the allocation, adjusted for certain items including asset impairment, severance and other restructuring costs, purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, accelerated depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, and other costs.

Our measure of segment assets does not include cash, goodwill, intangible assets, deferred tax assets, or corporate assets. All goodwill is allocated to reporting units of our segments for purposes of impairment testing.

The results of our equity method investment in Xuzhou Hirschmann Electronics Co. Ltd. (the Hirschmann JV) are analyzed separately from the results of our operating segments, and they are not included in the corporate expense allocation.

Operating Segment Information

 

Broadcast Solutions    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
            (In thousands)         

External customer revenues

   $ 916,632       $ 663,900       $ 356,320   

Affiliate revenues

     1,381         933         691   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  918,013      664,833      357,011   

Depreciation and amortization

  (67,372   (64,420   (23,184

Operating income (loss)

  4,093      15,099      (11,657

Total assets

  430,991      294,454      272,520   

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  17,912      10,526      8,844   

 

Enterprise Connectivity Solutions    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
            (In thousands)         

External customer revenues

   $ 455,795       $ 493,129       $ 496,857   

Affiliate revenues

     8,467         9,823         6,467   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  464,262      502,952      503,324   

Depreciation and amortization

  (14,331   (12,988   (16,057

Asset impairment and loss on sale of assets

  —        —        (1,468

Operating income

  47,715      48,753      40,056   

Total assets

  206,377      223,073      234,882   

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  12,574      11,749      13,013   

 

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Industrial Connectivity Solutions    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
            (In thousands)         

External customer revenues

   $ 682,374       $ 680,643       $ 670,112   

Affiliate revenues

     2,927         1,901         1,129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  685,301      682,544      671,241   

Depreciation and amortization

  (12,318   (11,408   (10,970

Asset impairment and loss on sale of assets

  —        —        (2,435

Operating income

  80,435      92,562      72,366   

Total assets

  255,997      259,400      263,293   

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  10,053      14,496      13,077   
Industrial IT Solutions    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
            (In thousands)         

External customer revenues

   $ 253,464       $ 231,521       $ 219,679   

Affiliate revenues

     54         208         286   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  253,518      231,729      219,965   

Depreciation and amortization

  (8,141   (5,635   (4,848

Operating income

  30,803      38,440      32,807   

Total assets

  67,417      56,658      54,428   

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  1,903      2,020      4,597   
All Other    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

External customer revenues

   $ —         $ —         $ 97,771   

Affiliate revenues

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  —        —        97,771   

Depreciation and amortization

  —        —        (2,828

Asset impairment and loss on sale of assets

  —        —        (29,773

Operating income (loss)

  —        1,278      (32,640

Total assets

  —        —        —     

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  —        —        348   
Total Segments    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

External customer revenues

   $ 2,308,265       $ 2,069,193       $ 1,840,739   

Affiliate revenues

     12,829         12,865         8,573   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  2,321,094      2,082,058      1,849,312   

Depreciation and amortization

  (102,162   (94,451   (57,887

Asset impairment and loss on sale of assets

  —        —        (33,676

Operating income

  163,046      196,132      100,932   

Total assets

  960,782      833,585      825,123   

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  42,442      38,791      39,879   

 

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Total segment operating income differs from net income reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Total segment operating income

   $ 163,046       $ 196,132       $ 100,932   

Income from equity method investment

     3,955         8,922         9,704   

Eliminations

     (3,882      (3,792      (2,139
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating income

  163,119      201,262      108,497   

Interest expense

  (82,156   (73,095   (52,038

Interest income

  583      494      1,033   

Loss on debt extinguishment

  —        (1,612   (52,450

Income tax benefit (expense)

  (7,114   (22,315   38,194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

  74,432      104,734      43,236   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

  579      (1,421   16,774   

Gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

  (562   —        134,480   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

$ 74,449    $ 103,313    $ 194,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Below are reconciliations of other segment measures to the consolidated totals.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Total segment assets

   $ 960,782       $ 833,585       $ 825,123   

Cash and cash equivalents

     741,162         613,304         395,095   

Goodwill

     943,374         773,048         778,708   

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

     461,292         376,976         428,273   

Deferred income taxes

     62,809         54,801         66,855   

Income tax receivable

     4,953         12,169         8,432   

Corporate assets

     88,455         87,870         82,097   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 3,262,827    $ 2,751,753    $ 2,584,583   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total segment acquisition of property, plant and equipment

$ 42,442    $ 38,791    $ 39,879   

Corporate acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  3,017      1,418      336   

Discontinued operations acquisition of property, plant and equipment

  —        —        795   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total acquisition of property, plant and equipment

$ 45,459    $ 40,209    $ 41,010   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total segment depreciation and amortization

$ (102,162 $ (94,451 $ (57,887

Discontinued operations depreciation and amortization

  —        —        (1,468
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

$ (102,162 $ (94,451 $ (59,355
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Geographic Information

The Company attributes foreign sales based on the location of the customer purchasing the product. The table below summarizes net sales and long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 for the following countries: the U.S., Canada, China, and Germany. No other individual foreign country’s net sales or long-lived assets are material to the Company.

 

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     United States     Canada     China     Germany     All Other     Total  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Year ended December 31, 2014

            

Revenues

   $ 1,134,721      $ 194,149      $ 132,330      $ 120,297      $ 726,768      $ 2,308,265   

Percent of total revenues

     49     8     6     5     32     100

Long-lived assets

   $ 191,728      $ 29,773      $ 70,574      $ 40,557      $ 70,727      $ 403,359   

Year ended December 31, 2013

            

Revenues

   $ 1,032,190      $ 195,387      $ 126,461      $ 108,745      $ 606,410      $ 2,069,193   

Percent of total revenues

     50     9     6     5     30     100

Long-lived assets

   $ 170,813      $ 27,458      $ 76,949      $ 45,702      $ 59,275      $ 380,197   

Year ended December 31, 2012

            

Revenues

   $ 825,437      $ 196,761      $ 193,082      $ 105,377      $ 520,082      $ 1,840,739   

Percent of total revenues

     45     11     10     6     28     100

Long-lived assets

   $ 164,619      $ 31,610      $ 72,556      $ 42,411      $ 59,854      $ 371,050   

Major Customer

Revenues generated from sales to the distributor Anixter International Inc., primarily in the Industrial Connectivity and Enterprise segments, were $290.5 million (13% of revenues), $289.9 million (14% of revenues), and $300.4 million (16% of revenues) for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2014, we had $37.9 million in accounts receivable outstanding from Anixter International Inc. This represented approximately 10% of our total accounts receivable outstanding at December 31, 2014.

Note 6: Equity Method Investment

We have a 50% ownership interest in the Hirschmann JV, which we acquired in connection with our 2007 acquisition of Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH. The Hirschmann JV is an entity located in China that supplies load-moment indicators to the industrial crane market. We account for this investment using the equity method of accounting. The results of our equity method investment in the Hirschmann JV are analyzed separately from the results of our operating segments, and they are not included in the corporate expense allocation.

Summary financial information for the Hirschmann JV is as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Current assets

   $ 44,679       $ 49,408       $ 46,042   

Noncurrent assets

     3,320         3,801         4,107   

Current liabilities

     19,847         21,524         13,132   

Noncurrent liabilities

     409         447         207   
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Revenues

   $ 34,322       $ 41,257       $ 56,564   

Gross profit

     17,235         27,332         29,067   

Operating income

     9,147         19,821         22,317   

Net income

     7,910         17,844         19,408   

Net income attributable to Belden

     3,955         8,922         9,704   

 

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The carrying value recorded in other long-lived assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets of our investment in the Hirschmann JV as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is $33.4 million and $38.3 million, respectively. The difference between this carrying value and our share of the Hirschmann JV’s net assets is primarily attributable to goodwill.

We had sales of $2.6 million, $3.6 million, and $5.7 million to the Hirschmann JV in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. We received $5.7 million, $8.1 million, and $12.5 million in dividends from the Hirschmann JV in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. We had receivables from the Hirschmann JV as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Note 7: Income Per Share

The following table presents the basis of the income per share computation:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Numerator for basic and diluted income per share:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 74,432       $ 104,734       $ 43,236   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     579         (1,421      16,774   

Gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     (562      —           134,480   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

$ 74,449    $ 103,313    $ 194,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

  43,273      43,871      45,097   

Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents

  724      866      845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

  43,997      44,737      45,942   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, diluted weighted average shares outstanding do not include outstanding equity awards of 0.2 million, 0.2 million, and 0.9 million, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

For purposes of calculating basic earnings per share, unvested restricted stock units are not included in the calculation of basic weighted average shares outstanding until all necessary conditions have been satisfied and issuance of the shares underlying the restricted stock units is no longer contingent. Necessary conditions are not satisfied until the vesting date, at which time holders of our restricted stock units receive shares of our common stock.

For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, unvested restricted stock units are included to the extent that they are dilutive. In determining whether unvested restricted stock units are dilutive, each issuance of restricted stock units is considered separately.

Once a restricted stock unit has vested, it is included in the calculation of both basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

 

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Note 8: Inventories

The major classes of inventories were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Raw materials

   $ 105,134       $ 85,379   

Work-in-process

     31,611         34,671   

Finished goods

     121,655         107,091   

Perishable tooling and supplies

     1,821         2,156   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross inventories

  260,221      229,297   

Excess and obsolete reserves

  (31,823   (21,317
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net inventories

$ 228,398    $ 207,980   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 9: Property, Plant and Equipment

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Land and land improvements

   $ 31,879       $ 34,846   

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     131,534         124,688   

Machinery and equipment

     472,543         441,933   

Computer equipment and software

     96,546         89,919   

Construction in process

     33,726         36,388   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross property, plant and equipment

  766,228      727,774   

Accumulated depreciation

  (449,843   (426,939
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

$ 316,385    $ 300,835   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Disposals

During 2014, we sold certain property, plant and equipment of the Broadcast segment for $1.9 million. There was no gain or loss on the sale.

During 2013, we sold certain real estate of the Broadcast segment for $1.0 million and recognized a $0.3 million loss on the sale. We also sold certain real estate of the Enterprise Connectivity segment for $2.1 million. There was no gain or loss on the sale.

During 2012, we sold certain net assets of our cable operations within the All Other segment for $40.0 million that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in China (the Disposal Group). We had previously evaluated a number of strategic alternatives related to the Disposal Group, and we determined that the characteristics of the end market in which they conducted business were not in line with our strategic plan. The cash flows related to the Disposal Group were not separately identifiable and independent of the other cash flows of our Chinese cable operations, and therefore, we have not reported the operating results of the Disposal Group as discontinued operations. We recognized an asset impairment and loss on sale of the Disposal Group in 2012 of $29.8 million. In 2013, we recorded a $1.3 million gain on the sale due to a favorable resolution with the buyer of those assets regarding the closing date working capital. See further discussion below.

During 2012, we also sold certain real estate of the Enterprise Connectivity and Industrial Connectivity segments for $0.8 million and $8.6 million, respectively. There was no gain or loss recognized on the sale.

 

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Impairment

We did not recognize any impairment losses in 2014 or 2013.

In 2012, we recognized a $29.8 million asset impairment and loss on sale of certain net assets of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in China. The loss is included in the operating results of the All Other segment. Of the total loss, $10.6 million, $6.8 million, and $5.2 million related to impairment of property, plant and equipment; customer relationships; and trademarks, respectively. We estimated the fair market value of these assets based upon the purchase price per the terms of the sale agreement (i.e., Level 2 valuation). The remainder of the loss was due to the accrual of estimated costs to sell, including such items as investment banker fees, legal fees, and other closing costs.

In 2012, we recognized impairment losses on property, plant and equipment of $2.4 million and $1.5 million in the operating results of our Industrial Connectivity and Enterprise Connectivity segments, respectively. Of the total impairment loss, approximately $1.5 million related to real estate retained by us from a German cable business we sold in 2009 and leased to the purchasers, $1.4 million related to manufacturing equipment, and $1.0 million related to other property, plant and equipment. We estimated the fair value of these assets based upon bids received from third parties to potentially buy the assets, quoted prices in active markets, or quoted prices for similar assets (i.e., Level 2 valuation).

Depreciation Expense

We recognized depreciation expense in income from continuing operations of $43.7 million, $43.6 million, and $35.1 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Note 10: Intangible Assets

The carrying values of intangible assets were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2014      December 31, 2013  
     Gross            Net      Gross            Net  
     Carrying      Accumulated     Carrying      Carrying      Accumulated     Carrying  
     Amount      Amortization     Amount      Amount      Amortization     Amount  
     (In thousands)      (In thousands)  

Goodwill

   $ 943,374       $ —        $ 943,374       $ 773,048       $ —        $ 773,048   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Definite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization:

Customer relationships

$ 261,914    $ (46,457 $ 215,457    $ 198,522    $ (35,981 $ 162,541   

Developed technology

  213,017      (102,996   110,021      174,106      (68,233   105,873   

Trademarks

  19,438      (3,687   15,751      7,151      (1,033   6,118   

Backlog

  10,406      (9,627   779      8,434      (8,421   13   

In-service research and development

  10,340      (2,777   7,563      6,549      (1,124   5,425   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

  515,115      (165,544   349,571      394,762      (114,792   279,970   

Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization:

Trademarks

  103,040      —        103,040      92,010      —        92,010   

In-process research and development

  8,681      —        8,681      4,996      —        4,996   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total intangible assets not subject to amortization

  111,721      —        111,721      97,006      —        97,006   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets

$ 626,836    $ (165,544 $ 461,292    $ 491,768    $ (114,792 $ 376,976   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Segment Allocation of Goodwill and Trademarks

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill assigned to reporting units in our reportable segments are as follows:

 

     Prior Segments     Current Segments        
                 Asia                  Industrial     Industrial        
     Americas     EMEA     Pacific     Broadcast     Enterprise      Connectivity     IT     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 690,578      $ 70,328      $ 17,802      $ —        $ —         $ —        $ —        $ 778,708   

Reassignment of goodwill

     (690,578     (70,328     (17,802     473,029        50,136         188,201        67,342        —     

Acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments

     —          —          —          4,986        —           —          —          4,986   

Translation impact

     —          —          —          (11,640     —           (226     1,220        (10,646
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

$ —      $ —      $ —      $ 466,375    $ 50,136    $ 187,975    $ 68,562    $ 773,048   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments

  —        —        —        119,918      —        16,442      56,194      192,554   

Translation impact

  —        —        —        (12,789   —        (4,364   (5,075   (22,228
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$ —      $ —      $ —      $ 573,504    $ 50,136    $ 200,053    $ 119,681    $ 943,374   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In 2013, as a result of our change in segments, we reassigned the carrying amount of goodwill to our new reporting units in our new segments based on relative fair value. There was no goodwill impairment at the time of our change in segments.

The changes in the carrying amount of indefinite-lived trademarks are as follows:

 

                 Industrial     Industrial        
     Broadcast     Enterprise     Connectivity     IT     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 80,310      $ 1,299      $ 12,279      $ 9,459      $ 103,347   

Reclassify to definite-lived

     (5,424     (1,353     —          —          (6,777

Acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments

     (4,918     —          —          —          (4,918

Translation impact

     159        54        (86     231        358   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

$ 70,127    $ —      $ 12,193    $ 9,690    $ 92,010   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassify to definite-lived

  (2,700   —        —        (3,900   (6,600

Acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments

  22,000      —        —        —        22,000   

Translation impact

  (2,244   —        (1,449   (677   (4,370
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$ 87,183    $ —      $ 10,744    $ 5,113    $ 103,040   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impairment

The annual measurement date for our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test is our fiscal November month-end. For our 2014 goodwill impairment test, we performed a quantitative assessment for three of our reporting units and determined the estimated fair values of our reporting units by calculating the present values of their estimated future cash flows. We determined that the fair values of the three reporting units were substantially in excess of the carrying values; therefore, we did not record any goodwill impairment for the three reporting units. We performed a qualitative assessment for the remaining six of our reporting units, and we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value was greater than the carrying value. Therefore, we did not record any goodwill impairment for the six reporting units. We also did not recognize any goodwill impairment in 2013 or 2012 based on the results of our annual goodwill impairment testing.

 

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Similar to the quantitative goodwill impairment test, we determined the estimated fair values of our trademarks by calculating the present values of the estimated cash flows (using Level 3 inputs) attributable to the respective trademarks. We did not recognize any trademark impairment charges in 2014 or 2013. In 2012, we recognized a $5.2 million and $6.8 million impairment loss on trademarks and customer relationships, respectively, related to our Chinese cable operations within the All Other segment which we disposed of during 2012. The total asset impairment and loss on sale of the consumer electronics assets in 2012 was $29.8 million. See Note 9.

Amortization Expense

We recognized amortization expense in income from continuing operations of $58.4 million, $50.8 million, and $22.8 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. We expect to recognize annual amortization expense of $62.5 million in 2015, $55.4 million in 2016, $44.5 million in 2017, $29.1 million in 2018, and $20.5 million in 2019 related to our intangible assets balance as of December 31, 2014.

The weighted-average amortization period for our customer relationships, developed technology, trademarks, and in-service research and development is 19.6 years, 4.7 years, 5.0 years, and 4.4 years, respectively

Note 11: Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The carrying values of accounts payable and accrued liabilities were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Accounts payable

   $ 272,439       $ 199,897   

Wages, severance and related taxes

     70,256         50,540   

Current deferred revenue

     45,139         31,371   

Accrued rebates

     31,506         34,317   

Accrued interest

     26,741         22,479   

Employee benefits

     25,158         17,697   

Other (individual items less than 5% of total current liabilities)

     51,620         42,765   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$ 522,859    $ 399,066   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The majority of our accounts payable balance is due to trade creditors. Our accounts payable balance as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 included $14.7 million and $16.1 million, respectively, of amounts due to banks under a commercial acceptance draft program. All accounts payable outstanding under the commercial acceptance draft program are expected to be settled within one year.

See further discussion of the accrued severance balance in Note 12 below.

Note 12: Severance, Restructuring, and Acquisition Integration Activities

During 2014, we incurred severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs primarily related to a productivity improvement program and the integration of our acquisition of Grass Valley. The productivity improvement program is focused on improving the productivity of our sales, marketing, finance, and human resources functions relative to our peers. The majority of the expected costs for the productivity improvement program relate to the Industrial Connectivity, Enterprise, and Industrial IT segments. The restructuring and integration activities related to our acquisition of Grass Valley are focused on achieving desired cost savings by consolidating existing and acquired operating facilities and other support functions. The Grass Valley costs relate to our Broadcast segment.

 

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In 2014, we recorded severance, restructuring, and integration costs of $70.8 million related to these programs. The following table summarizes the costs by segment for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

            Other         
            Restructuring         
            and Integration         
     Severance      Costs      Total Costs  
     (In thousands)  

Broadcast Solutions

   $ 20,025       $ 28,532       $ 48,557   

Enterprise Connectivity Solutions

     2,183         1,135         3,318   

Industrial Connectivity Solutions

     9,732         2,221         11,953   

Industrial IT Solutions

     5,314         1,685         6,999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 37,254    $ 33,573    $ 70,827   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The other restructuring and integration costs primarily consisted of costs of integrating manufacturing operations, such as relocating inventory on a global basis, retention bonuses, relocation, travel, lease termination, reserves for inventory obsolescence as a result of product line integration, costs to consolidate operating and support facilities, and other costs. The majority of the other restructuring and integration costs related to these actions were paid in 2014.

The table below sets forth severance activity that occurred during 2014 for the two significant programs described above. The balances are included in accrued liabilities.

 

     Productivity      Grass  
     Improvement      Valley  
     Program      Integration  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2013 and March 30, 2014

   $ —         $ —     

New charges

     10,507         16,528   

Cash payments

     (1,774      (4,497

Foreign currency translation

     (62      82   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at June 29, 2014

$ 8,671    $ 12,113   

New charges

  2,575      1,536   

Cash payments

  (1,171   (3,746

Foreign currency translation

  (381   (191

Other adjustments

  (1,697   (1,900
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 28, 2014

$ 7,997    $ 7,812   

New charges

  3,048      1,761   

Cash payments

  (2,244   (4,699

Foreign currency translation

  (465   (218

Other adjustments

  (1,195   —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$ 7,141    $ 4,656   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The other adjustments in 2014 were due to changes in estimates, including an impact of forfeited severance amounts. We expect the majority of the liabilities for these programs to be paid in the first half of fiscal 2015.

Of the total severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs recognized in 2014, $20.7 million, $46.5 million, and $3.6 million were included in cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; and research and development, respectively.

 

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We expect to incur additional severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs in 2015 of approximately $21 million as a result of the activities discussed above, as well as the integration of ProSoft and Tripwire (see Note 26).

During 2013, we recorded severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs of $14.9 million. The majority of these costs were recorded in our Broadcast segment, which recognized $12.1 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs for the year ended December 31, 2013. The restructuring and integration costs included relocation, equipment transfer, and other costs. These costs were incurred primarily as a result of facility consolidation in New York for recently acquired locations and other acquisition integration activities. These activities were contemplated as part of the decision to acquire PPC. The Industrial IT segment also recognized $1.7 million of severance expense in the year ended December 31, 2013.

Of the total severance and other restructuring costs recognized in the year ended December 31, 2013, $7.1 million, $6.5 million, and $1.3 million were included in cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; and research and development, respectively.

During 2012, we implemented certain restructuring actions in response to the uncertain global economic environment. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized severance and other restructuring costs in our Broadcast, Enterprise Connectivity, Industrial Connectivity, and Industrial IT segments of $4.9 million, $3.2 million, $9.2 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. The actions included reducing headcount and renegotiating procurement related contracts in order to reduce our cost structure. Of the total costs recognized, approximately $5.2 million consisted of contract termination costs related to our supply chain.

Of the total severance and other restructuring costs recognized, $6.5 million, $10.0 million, and $1.4 million were included in cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; and research and development, respectively.

We continue to review our business strategies and evaluate potential new restructuring actions. This could result in additional restructuring costs in future periods.

 

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Note 13: Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowing Arrangements

The carrying values of our long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Revolving credit agreement due 2018

   $ —         $ —     

Variable rate term loan due 2020

     246,375         248,775   

Senior subordinated notes:

     

5.25% Senior subordinated notes due 2024

     200,000         —     

5.50% Senior subordinated notes due 2023

     616,326         413,040   

5.50% Senior subordinated notes due 2022

     700,000         700,000   

9.25% Senior subordinated notes due 2019

     5,221         5,221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total senior subordinated notes

  1,521,547      1,118,261   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt and other borrowing arrangements

  1,767,922      1,367,036   

Less current maturities of Term Loan

  (2,500   (2,500
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

$ 1,765,422    $ 1,364,536   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revolving Credit Agreement due 2018

In 2013, we entered into a revolving credit agreement that provides a $400 million multi-currency asset-based revolving credit facility (the Revolver). The borrowing base under the Revolver includes eligible accounts receivable; inventory; and property, plant, and equipment of certain of our subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. We did not borrow any amounts under the revolver during 2014. As of December 31, 2014, our borrowing base was $334.7 million. The Revolver matures in 2018. Interest on outstanding borrowings is variable, based upon LIBOR or other similar indices in foreign jurisdictions, plus a spread that ranges from 1.25%—1.75%, depending upon our leverage position. We pay a commitment fee on our available borrowing capacity of 0.375%. In the event we borrow more than 90% of our borrowing base, we are subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant. We paid approximately $9.3 million of fees associated with the Revolver, which are being amortized over the life of the Revolver.

In January 2015, we borrowed $200.0 million under the Revolver in order to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Tripwire. See Note 26.

Variable Rate Term Loan due 2020

In 2013, we borrowed $250.0 million under a new Term Loan Credit Agreement (the Term Loan). The Term Loan is secured on a second lien basis by the assets securing the Revolving Credit Agreement due 2018 discussed above and on a first lien basis by the stock of certain of our subsidiaries. The borrowings under the Term Loan are scheduled to mature in 2020 and require quarterly amortization payments of approximately $0.6 million. Interest under the Term Loan is variable, based upon the three-month LIBOR plus an applicable spread. The interest rate as of December 31, 2014 was 3.25%. We utilized the proceeds from the Term Loan to repay the amounts outstanding under our previously outstanding Senior Secured Facility. We paid approximately $3.9 million of fees associated with the Term Loan, which are being amortized over the life of the Term Loan using the effective interest method.

 

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Senior Subordinated Notes

In June 2014, we issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior subordinated notes due 2024 (the 2024 Notes). The 2024 Notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by certain of our subsidiaries. The 2024 Notes rank equal in right of payment with our senior subordinated notes due 2023, 2022 and 2019 and with any future subordinated debt, and they are subordinated to all of our senior debt and the senior debt of our subsidiary guarantors, including our Term Loan. Interest is payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning January 15, 2015. We paid approximately $4.2 million of fees associated with the issuance of the 2024 Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the 2024 Notes using the effective interest method. We used the net proceeds from the transaction for general corporate purposes.

In March 2013, we issued €300.0 million ($388.2 million at issuance) aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes). In November 2014, we issued an additional €200.0 million ($247.5 million at issuance) aggregate principal amount of 2023 Notes. The carrying value of the 2023 Notes as of December 31, 2014 is $616.3 million. The 2023 Notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by certain of our subsidiaries. The notes rank equal in right of payment with our senior subordinated notes due 2024, 2022, and 2019 and with any future subordinated debt, and they are subordinated to all of our senior debt and the senior debt of our subsidiary guarantors, including our Term Loan. Interest is payable semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. We paid $12.2 million of fees associated with the issuance of the 2023 Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the notes using the effective interest method. We used the net proceeds from the transactions to repay amounts outstanding under the revolving credit component of our previously outstanding Senior Secured Facility and for general corporate purposes.

In 2012, we issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2022 (the 2022 Notes). The 2022 Notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by certain of our subsidiaries. The 2022 Notes rank equal in right of payment with our senior subordinated notes due 2024, 2023, and 2019, and with any future subordinated debt, and they are subordinated to all of our senior debt and the senior debt of our subsidiary guarantors, including our Term Loan. Interest is payable semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year. We paid $13.7 million of fees associated with the issuance of the 2022 Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the 2022 Notes using the effective interest method. We used the net proceeds from the transaction to fund the repurchase of certain of our senior subordinated notes due 2017 and 2019, as discussed below, and for general corporate purposes.

During 2012, we repurchased all $350.0 million of our senior subordinated notes due 2017 for cash consideration of $363.1 million, and $194.8 million of our senior subordinated notes due 2019 for cash consideration of $226.7 million. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $52.5 million, including the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to these instruments.

As of December 31, 2014, $5.2 million aggregate principal amount of our senior subordinated notes due 2019 remain outstanding (the 2019 Notes). The 2019 Notes have a coupon interest rate of 9.25% and an effective interest rate of 9.75%. The interest on the 2019 Notes is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15. The 2019 notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by certain of our subsidiaries. The notes rank equal in right of payment with our senior subordinated notes due 2022, 2023, and 2024, and with any future senior subordinated debt, and are subordinated to all of our senior debt and the senior debt of our subsidiary guarantors, including our Term Loan.

The senior subordinated notes due 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are redeemable after June 15, 2014, September 1, 2017, April 15, 2018, and July 15, 2019, respectively, at the following redemption prices as a percentage of the face amount of the notes:

 

Senior Subordinated Notes due  

2019

    2022     2023     2024  

Year

   Percentage     Year    Percentage     Year    Percentage     Year    Percentage  

2014

     104.625   2017      102.750   2018      102.750   2019      102.625

2015

     103.083   2018      101.833   2019      101.833   2020      101.750

2016

     101.542   2019      100.917   2020      100.917   2021      100.875

2017 and thereafter

     100.000   2020 and thereafter      100.000   2021 and thereafter      100.000   2022 and thereafter      100.000

 

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Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

The fair value of our senior subordinated notes as of December 31, 2014 was approximately $1,529.4 million based on quoted prices of the debt instruments in inactive markets (Level 2 valuation). This amount represents the fair values of our senior subordinated notes with a carrying value of $1,521.5 million as of December 31, 2014. We believe the fair value of our Term Loan approximates book value.

Maturities

Maturities on outstanding long-term debt and other borrowings during each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2015

$ 2,500   

2016

  2,500   

2017

  2,500   

2018

  2,500   

2019

  7,721   

Thereafter

  1,750,201   
  

 

 

 
$ 1,767,922   
  

 

 

 

Note 14: Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. From time to time, we manage a portion of this risk through the use of derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to foreign currency risk. We do not hold or issue any derivative instrument for trading or speculative purposes.

During 2012, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts that were formally designated and qualified as net investment hedges of our operations in certain European subsidiaries. To the extent that the hedge relationships were effective, the gains or losses on the forward contracts were reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) as part of the cumulative translation component of equity. We utilized the forward-rate method of assessing hedge ineffectiveness. Any ineffectiveness was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The forward contracts exposed us to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties to our forward contracts would have been unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We sought to mitigate such risks by limiting the counterparties to major financial institutions and by executing our agreements across multiple counterparties. Additionally, our forward contracts were short-term in duration.

We recognized a $4.0 million pre-tax gain in AOCI during 2012. There was no ineffectiveness and no amount reclassified from AOCI into earnings for 2012. There were no outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.

All cash flows associated with derivatives are classified as financing cash flows in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statements. We collected $4.0 million in proceeds upon the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts during 2012.

 

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Note 15: Income Taxes

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes:

        

United States operations

   $ 14,042       $ 31,678       $ (22,533

Foreign operations

     67,504         95,371         27,575   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

$ 81,546    $ 127,049    $ 5,042   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit):

Currently payable

United States federal

$ 6,701    $ (4,493 $ (6,945

United States state and local

  1,617      (26   (2,519

Foreign

  16,592      21,377      14,020   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  24,910      16,858      4,556   

Deferred

United States federal

  (9,662   3,575      (22,660

United States state and local

  (746   1,593      (424

Foreign

  (7,388   289      (19,666
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (17,796   5,457      (42,750
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

$ 7,114    $ 22,315    $ (38,194
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the above income tax expense (benefit) associated with continuing operations, we also recorded income tax expense (benefit) associated with discontinued operations of ($0.9 million), $1.4 million, and $78.7 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
         2014              2013              2012      

Effective income tax rate reconciliation from continuing operations:

        

United States federal statutory rate

     35.0%         35.0%         35.0%   

State and local income taxes

     0.8%         1.5%         (10.7%

Impact of change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance

     4.7%         (0.6%      (187.8%

Impact of change in tax contingencies

     (7.1%      3.8%         3.3%   

Impact of change in United States tax legislation

     0.0%         (3.3%      0.0%   

Foreign income tax rate differences

     (17.6%      (12.1%      (278.1%

Federal and state impact of Cooper liability settlement

     0.0%         0.0%         (416.5%

Domestic permanent differences & tax credits

     (7.1%      (6.7%      97.3%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  8.7%      17.6%      (757.5%
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In both 2014 and 2013, the most significant difference between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate and our effective tax rate was the impact of foreign tax rate differences. The statutory tax rates associated with our foreign earnings are generally lower than the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35%. The foreign tax rate differences are most significant in Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, which have statutory tax rates of approximately 28%, 26%, and 25%, respectively. In 2014, our income tax expense was reduced by $2.0 million due to a tax holiday for our operations in St. Kitts. The tax holiday in St. Kitts is scheduled to expire in 2022.

With respect to the effective income tax rate reconciliation for 2012, the individual percentages reflected are significant due to the dollar value of such items relative to the $5.0 million of consolidated pre-tax income in 2012. The most significant factors impacting the rate and the total income tax benefit of $38.2 million in 2012 include the Cooper Industries tax agreement settlement and the reduction of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, both of which are discussed further below.

 

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Deferred income taxes have been established for differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and tax reporting purposes. For 2012, these amounts included adjustments for a tax sharing agreement with Cooper Industries (Cooper). This agreement required us to pay Cooper the majority of the tax benefits resulting from basis adjustments arising from the initial public offering of our stock on October 6, 1993. The effect of the Cooper tax agreement was to put us in the same financial position we would have been in had there been no increase in the tax basis of our intangible assets (except for a retained 10% benefit). In 2011, Cooper sued us in Texas state court for amounts allegedly owed by us under the tax sharing agreement. As a result of a final settlement reached with Cooper in 2012, the tax sharing agreement has been terminated. We paid a final settlement amount of $30 million in 2013 and recorded a tax benefit of $21.0 million in our 2012 tax provision.

In 2012, we also recorded a $9.5 million tax benefit due to a net reduction in valuation allowances associated with our ability to realize deferred tax assets related to net operating losses and tax credits in various jurisdictions. We evaluated and assessed the expected utilization of net operating losses, future book and taxable income, available tax planning strategies, and our overall deferred tax position to determine the appropriate amount and timing of valuation allowance adjustments. As a result of changes in our business, available tax planning strategies, and future taxable income projections, we determined that the weight of evidence regarding the future realizability of the deferred tax assets had become predominately positive and realization of the deferred tax assets was more likely than not.

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Components of deferred income tax balances:

     

Deferred income tax liabilities:

     

Plant, equipment, and intangibles

   $ (90,414    $ (97,229

Deferred income tax assets:

     

Postretirement, pensions, and stock compensation

     34,656         27,592   

Reserves and accruals

     44,809         33,788   

Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards

     217,902         88,307   

Valuation allowances

     (157,317      (10,165
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  140,050      139,522   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax asset

$ 49,636    $ 42,293   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The increase in deferred income tax assets and valuation allowances during 2014 stems primarily from an increase of deferred tax assets associated with net operating losses and related valuation allowances from our acquisition of Grass Valley. We acquired deferred tax assets of approximately $143.5 million associated with net operating losses of Grass Valley. Due to Grass Valley’s history of significant tax losses, both in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions, we recorded a complete valuation allowance of $143.5 million for the acquired net operating losses as part of the purchase price allocation. During 2014, we recorded approximately $4.3 million of income tax expense in order to record a valuation allowance for net operating losses generated by Grass Valley subsequent to the acquisition date. We do not currently have forecasted sources of taxable income in Grass Valley’s jurisdictions that would be sufficient to utilize their net operating losses.

As of December 31, 2014, we had $652.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards and $57.0 million of tax credit carryforwards. Unless otherwise utilized, net operating loss carryforwards will expire upon the filing of the tax returns for the following respective years: $22.5 million in 2014, $30.4 million in 2015, $13.1 million in 2016, $37.3 million between 2017 and 2019, and $188.0 million between 2020 and 2034. Net operating losses with an indefinite carryforward period total $360.8 million. Of the $652.1 million in net operating loss carryforwards, we have determined, based on the weight of all available evidence, both positive and negative, that we will utilize $137.4 million of these net operating loss carryforwards within their respective expiration periods.

 

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Unless otherwise utilized, tax credit carryforwards of $54.5 million will expire as follows: $27.4 million between 2018 and 2020, $3.4 million between 2023 and 2024, and $23.7 million between 2027 and 2034. Tax credit carryforwards with an indefinite carryforward period total $2.5 million. We have determined, based on the weight of all available evidence, both positive and negative, that we will utilize all of these tax credit carryforwards within their respective expiration periods.

The following tables summarize our net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2014 by jurisdiction:

 

     Net Operating Loss Carryforwards  
     (In thousands)  

France

   $ 272,351   

United States - various states

     188,178   

Netherlands

     73,828   

Germany

     59,761   

Japan

     27,410   

Australia

     15,901   

Other

     14,658   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 652,087   
  

 

 

 
     Tax Credit Carryforwards  
     (In thousands)  

United States

   $ 35,261   

Canada

     21,758   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 57,019   
  

 

 

 

In general, it is our practice and intention to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in those operations. As a result, as of December 31, 2014, we have not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $582.6 million of the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered permanent in duration. Generally, such amounts become subject to U.S. taxation upon the remittance of dividends and under certain other circumstances. It is not practical to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries that would be payable if we were not indefinitely reinvested.

In 2014, we recognized a net $8.6 million decrease to reserves for uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 18,639       $ 17,377   

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

     663         1,932   

Additions for tax positions of prior years

     73         3,761   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years - Settlement

     (7,907      (2,490

Reduction for tax positions of prior years - Statute of limitations

     (1,411      (1,941
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

$ 10,057    $ 18,639   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The majority of the reductions for tax positions of prior years relates to the settlement of income tax audits in foreign jurisdictions. The balance of $10.1 million at December 31, 2014, reflects tax positions that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate.

As of December 31, 2014, we believe it is reasonably possible that $3.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next twelve months primarily attributable to the expiration of several statutes of limitations and completion of tax audits in various jurisdictions.

Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and operating expenses, respectively. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, we recognized approximately ($1.1) million, $1.7 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, in interest expense (reduction of interest expense). We have approximately $1.7 million and $2.8 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Our federal, state, and foreign income tax returns for the tax years 2007 and later remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and by various state and foreign tax authorities.

Note 16: Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans that cover substantially all employees in Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and certain employees in Germany. Grass Valley, which was acquired in 2014, also sponsors defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans that cover substantially all employees in the U.S., as well as certain employees in France and Japan. We closed the U.S. defined benefit pension plan to new entrants effective January 1, 2010. Employees who were not active participants in the U.S. defined benefit pension plan on December 31, 2009, are not eligible to participate in the plan. Annual contributions to retirement plans equal or exceed the minimum funding requirements of applicable local regulations. The assets of the funded pension plans we sponsor are maintained in various trusts and are invested primarily in equity and fixed income securities.

Benefits provided to employees under defined contribution plans include cash contributions by the Company based on either hours worked by the employee or a percentage of the employee’s compensation. Defined contribution expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $11.8 million, $11.1 million, and $10.9 million, respectively.

We sponsor unfunded postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plans for certain of our employees in Canada and the U.S. The medical benefit portion of the U.S. plan is only for employees who retired prior to 1989 as well as certain other employees who were near retirement and elected to receive certain benefits.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of assets as well as a statement of the funded status and balance sheet reporting for these plans.

 

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     Pension Benefits      Other Benefits  
Years Ended December 31,    2014      2013      2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

           

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ (258,423    $ (263,876    $ (46,614    $ (51,772

Service cost

     (5,453      (5,554      (49      (125

Interest cost

     (10,757      (9,310      (1,647      (1,910

Participant contributions

     (109      (105      (7      (11

Plan amendments

     —           (56      —           —     

Actuarial gain (loss)

     (28,971      8,147         4,392         2,096   

Acquisitions

     (25,283      —           —           —     

Curtailments

     359         —           —           —     

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     13,708         (1,826      2,704         2,681   

Benefits paid

     14,590         14,157         2,052         2,427   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

$ (300,339 $ (258,423 $ (39,169 $ (46,614
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Pension Benefits      Other Benefits  
Years Ended December 31,    2014      2013      2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Change in plan assets:

           

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   $ 198,367       $ 173,154       $ —         $ —     

Actual return on plan assets

     20,223         29,416         —           —     

Employer contributions

     7,992         10,035         2,045         2,416   

Plan participant contributions

     109         105         7         11   

Acquisitions

     9,360         —           —           —     

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     (4,707      (186      —           —     

Benefits paid

     (14,590      (14,157      (2,052      (2,427
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

$ 216,754    $ 198,367    $ —      $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Funded status, end of year

$ (83,585 $ (60,056 $ (39,169 $ (46,614

Amounts recongized in the balance sheets:

Prepaid benefit cost

$ 5,689    $ 5,797    $ —      $ —     

Accrued benefit liability (current)

  (3,628   (3,878   (2,188   (2,665

Accrued benefit liability (noncurrent)

  (85,646   (61,975   (36,981   (43,949
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net funded status

$ (83,585 $ (60,056 $ (39,169 $ (46,614
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $296.4 million and $254.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were $247.5 million, $243.9 million, and $158.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and $77.0 million, $75.1 million, and $11.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation less than plan assets were $52.8 million, $52.5 million, and $58.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014, and were $181.4 million, $179.4 million, and $187.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013.

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs for the plans.

 

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     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
Years Ended December 31,    2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

            

Service cost

   $ 5,453      $ 5,554      $ 5,423      $ 49      $ 125      $ 116   

Interest cost

     10,757        9,310        10,510        1,647        1,910        2,077   

Expected return on plan assets

     (12,468     (11,066     (11,112     —          —          —     

Amortization of prior service credit

     (48     (54     (55     (100     (108     (111

Curtailment gain

     (359     —          —          —          —          —     

Net loss recognition

     4,154        6,388        5,974        315        932        842   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 7,489    $ 10,132    $ 10,740    $ 1,911    $ 2,859    $ 2,924   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents the assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations and the net periodic benefit cost amounts.

 

     Pension Benefits      Other Benefits  
Years Ended December 31,    2014      2013      2014      2013  

Weighted average assumptions for benefit obligations at year end:

           

Discount rate

     3.2%         4.1%         3.7%         4.4%   

Salary increase

     3.3%         3.9%         N/A         N/A   

Weighted average assumptions for net periodic cost for the year:

           

Discount rate

     4.1%         3.7%         4.4%         4.3%   

Salary increase

     3.9%         3.9%         N/A         N/A   

Expected return on assets

     6.7%         6.7%         N/A         N/A   

Assumed health care cost trend rates:

           

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

     N/A         N/A         5.5%         7.3%   

Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to

     N/A         N/A         5.0%         5.0%   

Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at

     N/A         N/A         2016         2020   

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plan. A one percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on 2014 expense and year-end liabilities.

 

     1% Increase      1% Decrease  
     (In thousands)  

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

   $ 142       $ (118

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

   $ 3,629       $ (3,006

Plan assets are invested using a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equity securities and fixed income securities are used to preserve asset values, diversify risk, and achieve our target investment return benchmark. Investment strategies and asset allocations are based on consideration of the plan liabilities, the plan’s funded status, and our financial condition. Investment performance and asset allocation are measured and monitored on an ongoing basis.

 

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Plan assets are managed in a balanced portfolio comprised of two major components: an equity portion and a fixed income portion. The expected role of equity investments is to maximize the long-term real growth of assets, while the role of fixed income investments is to generate current income, provide for more stable periodic returns, and provide some protection against a prolonged decline in the market value of equity investments.

Absent regulatory or statutory limitations, the target asset allocation for the investment of the assets for our ongoing pension plans is 30-40% in fixed income securities and 60-70% in equity securities and for our pension plans where the majority of the participants are in payment or terminated vested status is 75-80% in fixed income securities and 20-25% in equity securities. Equity securities include U.S. and international equity, primarily invested through investment funds. Fixed income securities include government securities and investment grade corporate bonds, primarily invested through investment funds and group insurance contracts. We develop our expected long-term rate of return assumptions based on the historical rates of returns for equity and fixed income securities of the type in which our plans invest.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets reflects the average rate of earnings expected on the invested assets and future assets to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. We use historic plan asset returns combined with current market conditions to estimate the rate of return. The expected rate of return on plan assets is a long-term assumption based on an analysis of historical and forward looking returns considering the plan’s actual and target asset mix.

The following table presents the fair values of the pension plan assets by asset category.

 

    December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
    Fair Market
Value at
December

31, 2014
    Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
    Significant
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Fair Market
Value at
December

31, 2013
    Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
    Significant
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)  

Asset Category:

               

Equity securities(a)

               

Large-cap fund

  $ 82,816      $ 3,414      $ 79,402      $ —        $ 75,306      $ —        $ 75,306      $ —     

Mid-cap fund

    15,276        1,448        13,828        —          13,511        —          13,511        —     

Small-cap fund

    19,952        312        19,640        —          19,473        —          19,473        —     

Debt securities(b)

               

Government bond fund

    29,121        1,244        27,877        —          25,520        —          25,520        —     

Corporate bond fund

    27,485        3,815        23,670        —          21,679        —          21,679        —     

Fixed income fund(c)

    41,975        —          41,975        —          42,847        —          42,847        —     

Cash & equivalents

    129        129        —          —          31        31        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 216,754      $ 10,362      $ 206,392      $ —        $ 198,367      $ 31      $ 198,336      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

This category includes investments in actively managed and indexed investment funds that invest in a diversified pool of equity securities of companies located in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe and other developed countries throughout the world. The Level 1 funds are valued at fair market value obtained from quoted market prices in active markets. The Level 2 funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(b)

This category includes investments in investment funds that invest in U.S. treasuries; other national, state and local government bonds; and corporate bonds of highly rated companies from diversified industries. The Level 1 funds are valued at fair market value obtained from quoted market prices in active markets. The Level 2 funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(c)

This category includes guaranteed insurance contracts.

 

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The plans do not invest in individual securities. All investments are through well diversified investment funds. As a result, there are no significant concentrations of risk within the plan assets.

The following table reflects the benefits as of December 31, 2014 expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter from our pension and other postretirement plans as well as Medicare subsidy receipts. Because our other postretirement plans are unfunded, the anticipated benefits with respect to these plans will come from our own assets. Because our pension plans are primarily funded plans, the anticipated benefits with respect to these plans will come primarily from the trusts established for these plans.

 

     Pension
Plans
     Other
Plans
     Medicare
Subsidy
Receipts
 
     (In thousands)  

2015

   $ 16,323       $ 2,328       $ 91   

2016

     17,346         2,283         84   

2017

     17,969         2,238         77   

2018

     18,357         2,167         70   

2019

     18,292         2,080         63   

2020-2024

     94,607         9,805         214   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 182,894    $ 20,901    $ 599   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We anticipate contributing $5.8 million and $2.2 million to our pension and other postretirement plans, respectively, during 2015.

The pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost at December 31, 2014, the changes in these amounts during the year ended December 31, 2014, and the expected amortization of these amounts as components of net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2015 are as follows.

 

     Pension      Other  
     Benefits      Benefits  
     (In thousands)  

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

     

Net actuarial loss

   $ 61,333       $ 4,679   

Net prior service credit

     (94      (143
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 61,239    $ 4,536   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Pension      Other  
     Benefits      Benefits  
     (In thousands)  

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss:

     

Net actuarial loss, beginning of year

   $ 46,468       $ 9,622   

Amortization cost

     (4,154      (315

Actuarial loss (gain)

     28,971         (4,392

Asset gain

     (7,755      —     

Currency impact

     (2,197      (236
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss, end of year

$ 61,333    $ 4,679   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Prior service credit, beginning of year

$ (106 $ (259

Amortization credit

  48      100   

Currency impact

  (36   16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Prior service credit, end of year

$ (94 $ (143
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Pension      Other  
     Benefits      Benefits  
     (In thousands)  

Expected 2015 amortization:

     

Amortization of prior service credit

   $ (41    $ (95

Amortization of net loss

     5,319         354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 5,278    $ 259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 17: Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes total comprehensive income:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Net income

   $ 74,449       $ 103,313       $ 194,490   

Foreign currency translation loss, net of $1.8 million, $2.2 million, and $0.0 million tax, respectively

     (10,387      (20,720      (1,414

Foreign currency hedging instruments, net of $0.0 million, $0.0 million, and $1.6 million tax, respectively

     —           —           2,467   

Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of $3.6 million, $14.0 million, and $3.2 million tax, respectively

     (6,463      22,104         (8,909
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

$ 57,599    $ 104,697    $ 186,634   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, are as follows:

 

    Foreign Currency
Translation
Component
    Pension and Other
Postretirement
Benefit Plans
    Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
          (In thousands)        

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 28,516      $ (59,081   $ (30,565

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    (20,720     17,570        (3,150

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    —          4,534        4,534   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

  (20,720   22,104      1,384   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  7,796      (36,977   (29,181

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

  (10,387   (9,120   (19,507

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  —        2,657      2,657   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive loss

  (10,387   (6,463   (16,850
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

$ (2,591 $ (43,440 $ (46,031
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the effects of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

    Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
    Affected Line Item in the
Consolidated Statements
of Operations and
Comprehensive Income
 
    (In thousands)        

Amortization of pension and other postretirement benefit plan items:

   

Actuarial losses

  $ 4,469        (1

Prior service credit

    (148     (1
 

 

 

   

Total before tax

  4,321   

Tax benefit

  (1,664
 

 

 

   

Total net of tax

$ 2,657   
 

 

 

   

 

(1)

The amortization of these accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs (see Note 16).

Note 18: Share-Based Compensation

Compensation cost charged against income, primarily SG&A expense, and the income tax benefit recognized for our share-based compensation arrangements is included below:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
            (In thousands)         

Total share-based compensation cost

   $ 18,858       $ 14,854       $ 12,374   

Income tax benefit

     7,334         5,777         4,812   

 

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We currently have outstanding stock appreciation rights (SARs), stock options, restricted stock units with service vesting conditions, and restricted stock units with performance vesting conditions. We grant SARs and stock options with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. Generally, SARs and stock options may be converted into shares of our common stock in equal amounts on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and expire 10 years from the grant date. Certain awards provide for accelerated vesting in certain circumstances, including a change in control of the Company. Restricted stock units with service conditions generally vest 3-5 years from the grant date. Restricted stock units issued based on the attainment of the performance conditions generally vest as follows: 1) 50% on the second anniversary of their grant date and 50% on the third anniversary, or 2) 100% on the third anniversary of their grant date.

We recognize compensation cost for all awards based on their fair values. The fair values for SARs and stock options are estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula which incorporates the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility, and expected term is based on historical exercise patterns of option holders. The fair value of restricted stock units is the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Compensation costs for awards with service conditions are amortized to expense using the straight-line method. Compensation costs for awards with performance conditions and graded vesting are amortized to expense using the graded attribution method.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands, except weighted average fair  
     value and assumptions)  

Weighted-average fair value of SARs and options granted

   $ 35.46       $ 24.63       $ 19.53   

Total intrinsic value of SARs converted and options exercised

     24,023         47,058         8,898   

Cash received for options exercised

     48         14,030         2,372   

Tax benefit related to share-based compensation

     6,859         10,734         4,119   

Weighted-average fair value of restricted stock shares and units granted

     72.46         50.38         35.85   

Total fair value of restricted stock shares and units vested

     7,888         9,032         9,017   

Expected volatility

     52.63%         53.94%         54.26%   

Expected term (in years)

     5.8         6.1         6.1   

Risk-free rate

     1.79%         1.04%         1.11%   

Dividend yield

     0.28%         0.40%         0.50%   

 

     SARs and Stock Options      Restricted Shares and Units  
     Number     Weighted-
Average
Exercise

Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
     Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
     Number     Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
           (In thousands, except exercise prices, fair values, and contractual terms)        

Outstanding at January 1, 2014

     1,668      $ 36.37               442      $ 41.32   

Granted

     204        72.55               192        72.46   

Exercised or converted

     (542     29.52               (110     33.54   

Forfeited or expired

     (25     51.52               (31     52.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2014

  1,305    $ 44.60      7.1    $ 44,675      493    $ 54.76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2014

  1,279    $ 44.28      7.1    $ 44,159   

Exercisable or convertible at December 31, 2014

  739      36.68      6.3      31,127   

At December 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested awards was $18.9 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

 

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Historically, we have issued treasury shares, if available, to satisfy award conversions and exercises.

Note 19: Stockholder Rights Plan

Under our Stockholder Rights Plan, each share of our common stock generally has “attached” to it one preferred share purchase right. Each right, when exercisable, entitles the holder to purchase 1/1000th of a share of our Junior Participating Preferred Stock Series A at a purchase price of $150.00 (subject to adjustment). Each 1/1000th of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be substantially equivalent to one share of our common stock and will be entitled to one vote, voting together with the shares of common stock.

The rights will become exercisable only if, without the prior approval of the Board of Directors, a person or group of persons acquires or announces the intention to acquire 20% or more of our common stock. If we are acquired through a merger or other business combination transaction, each right will entitle the holder to purchase $300.00 worth of the surviving company’s common stock for $150.00 (subject to adjustment). In addition, if a person or group of persons acquires 20% or more of our common stock, each right not owned by the 20% or greater shareholder would permit the holder to purchase $300.00 worth of our common stock for $150.00 (subject to adjustment). The rights are redeemable, at our option, at $0.01 per right at any time prior to an announcement of a beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock then outstanding. The rights expire on December 9, 2016.

Note 20: Share Repurchases

In July 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program, which allows us to purchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock through open market repurchases, negotiated transactions, or other means, in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. In November 2012, our Board of Directors authorized an extension of the share repurchase program, which allows us to purchase up to an additional $200.0 million of our common stock. This program is funded by cash on hand and free cash flow. The program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended at any time at the discretion of the Company.

From inception of the program to December 31, 2014, we have repurchased 6.7 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $310.9 million and an average price of $46.54. In 2014, we repurchased 1.3 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $92.2 million and an average price of $73.06 per share. In 2013, we repurchased 1.7 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $93.8 million and an average price of $54.76 per share. In 2012, we repurchased 2.1 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of $75.0 million and an average price of $36.20 per share.

Note 21: Operating Leases

Operating lease expense incurred primarily for manufacturing and office space, machinery, and equipment was $32.8 million, $26.5 million, and $23.6 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

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Minimum annual lease payments for noncancelable operating leases in effect at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2015

$ 23,493   

2016

  19,140   

2017

  14,289   

2018

  10,336   

2019

  8,872   

Thereafter

  27,901   
  

 

 

 
$ 104,031   
  

 

 

 

Certain of our operating leases include step rent provisions and rent escalations. We include these step rent provisions and rent escalations in our minimum lease payments obligations and recognize them as a component of rental expense on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term.

Note 22: Market Concentrations and Risks

Concentrations of Credit

We sell our products to many customers in several markets across multiple geographic areas. The ten largest customers, of which six are distributors, constitute in aggregate approximately 33%, 36%, and 34% of revenues in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Unconditional Commodity Purchase Obligations

At December 31, 2014, we were committed to purchase approximately 1.5 million pounds of copper at an aggregate fixed cost of $4.6 million. At December 31, 2014, this fixed cost was $0.2 million more than the market cost that would be incurred on a spot purchase of the same amount of copper. The aggregate market cost was based on the current market price of copper obtained from the New York Mercantile Exchange. In addition, at December 31, 2014, we were committed to purchase 0.7 million pounds of aluminum at an aggregate fixed cost of $0.8 million. At December 31, 2014, this fixed cost approximated the market cost that would be incurred on a spot purchase of the same amount of aluminum. These commitments will mature in 2015.

Labor

Approximately 23% of our labor force is covered by collective bargaining agreements at various locations around the world. Approximately 19% of our labor force is covered by collective bargaining agreements that we expect to renegotiate during 2015.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, and debt instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables at December 31, 2014 are considered representative of their respective fair values. The carrying amount of our debt instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1,767.9 million and $1,367.0 million, respectively. The fair value of our senior subordinated notes at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $1,529.4 million and $1,098.6 million, respectively, based on quoted prices of the debt instruments in inactive markets (Level 2 valuation). This amount represents the fair values of our senior subordinated notes with a carrying value of $1,521.5 million and $1,118.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We believe the fair value of our Term Loan approximates book value.

 

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Note 23: Contingent Liabilities

General

Various claims are asserted against us in the ordinary course of business including those pertaining to income tax examinations, product liability, customer, employment, vendor, and patent matters. Based on facts currently available, management believes that the disposition of the claims that are pending or asserted will not have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, operating results, or cash flow.

Letters of Credit, Guarantees and Bonds

At December 31, 2014, we were party to unused standby letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds totaling $8.3 million, $1.7 million, and $1.8 million, respectively. These commitments are generally issued to secure obligations we have for a variety of commercial reasons, such as workers compensation self-insurance programs in several states and the importation and exportation of product.

Note 24: Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
            (In thousands)         

Income tax refunds received

   $ 12,681       $ 11,165       $ 8,382   

Income taxes paid

     (25,308      (79,778      (34,854

Interest paid, net of amount capitalized

     (70,915      (60,340      (41,854

 

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Note 25: Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)

 

2014    1st     2nd      3rd      4th     Year  
           (In thousands, except days and per share amounts)        

Number of days in quarter

     89        91         91         94        365   

Revenues

   $ 487,690      $ 600,891       $ 610,774       $ 608,910      $ 2,308,265   

Gross profit

     175,717        204,385         221,732         217,615        819,449   

Operating income

     49,511        12,326         58,011         43,271        163,119   

Income from continuing operations

     25,156        15         33,847         15,414        74,432   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —           —           579        579   

Loss from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     (562     —           —           —          (562

Net income

     24,594        15         33,847         15,993        74,449   

Basic income (loss) per share

            

Continuing operations

   $ 0.58      $ —         $ 0.78       $ 0.36      $ 1.72   

Discontinued operations

     —          —           —           0.01        0.01   

Disposal of discontinued operations

     (0.01     —           —           —          (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 0.57    $ —      $ 0.78    $ 0.37    $ 1.72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per share

Continuing operations

$ 0.57    $ —      $ 0.77    $ 0.35    $ 1.69   

Discontinued operations

  —        —        —        0.01      0.01   

Disposal of discontinued operations

  (0.01   —        —        —        (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 0.56    $ —      $ 0.77    $ 0.36    $ 1.69   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
2013    1st     2nd      3rd      4th     Year  
           (In thousands, except days and per share amounts)        

Number of days in quarter

     90        91         91         93        365   

Revenues

   $ 507,473      $ 529,491       $ 522,478       $ 509,751      $ 2,069,193   

Gross profit

     167,353        179,196         182,841         175,039        704,429   

Operating income

     44,240        53,913         53,935         49,174        201,262   

Income from continuing operations

     22,245        29,492         29,068         23,929        104,734   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —           —           (1,421     (1,421

Net income

     22,245        29,492         29,068         22,508        103,313   

Basic income (loss) per share

            

Continuing operations

   $ 0.50      $ 0.67       $ 0.67       $ 0.55      $ 2.39   

Discontinued operations

     —          —           —           (0.03     (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 0.50    $ 0.67    $ 0.67    $ 0.52    $ 2.36   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per share

Continuing operations

$ 0.49    $ 0.66    $ 0.65    $ 0.54    $ 2.34   

Discontinued operations

  —        —        —        (0.03   (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 0.49    $ 0.66    $ 0.65    $ 0.51    $ 2.31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Included in the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2014 are severance, restructuring, and integration costs of $1.4 million, $38.2 million, $9.2 million, and $22.0 million, respectively. The second quarter of 2014 also includes $7.4 million of purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, primarily the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value.

Included in the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2013 are severance and other restructuring costs, including accelerated depreciation expense, of $0.8 million, $7.7 million, $5.9 million, and $5.4 million, respectively. The first quarter of 2013 also includes $6.6 million of purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, primarily the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value. The fourth quarter of 2013 includes a loss on debt extinguishment of $1.6 million.

 

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Note 26: Subsequent Events

On January 2, 2015, we acquired Tripwire, Inc., a leading global provider of advanced threat, security and compliance solutions, for a purchase price of approximately $710.0 million. Tripwire’s solutions enable enterprises, service providers, manufacturers, and government agencies to confidently detect, prevent, and respond to growing security threats. The purchase price was funded with cash on hand and $200.0 million of borrowings under our Revolver.

We are in the preliminary phase of the purchase accounting process, including obtaining third party valuations of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired. As such, the purchase accounting process is incomplete and we cannot provide the required disclosures of the estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired for this business combination. We expect, however, to record a significant amount of definite-lived intangible assets and goodwill related to this acquisition.

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

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of our 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)). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of Belden is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).

Belden management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. As permitted, that evaluation excluded the business operations of Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l. (collectively, Grass Valley), ProSoft Technology, Inc., and Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC, all of which were acquired in 2014. The acquired business operations excluded from our evaluation constituted $489.4 million of our total assets as of December 31, 2014 and $229.6 million of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014. The operations of the acquired businesses will be included in our 2015 evaluation. In conducting its evaluation, Belden management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on that evaluation, Belden management believes our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report that follows.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Belden Inc.

We have audited Belden Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Belden Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on 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 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l. (collectively, Grass Valley), ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft), and Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC (Coast), which are included in the 2014 consolidated financial statements of Belden Inc. and constituted $489.4 million of total assets as of December 31, 2014, and $229.6 million of revenues for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast.

In our opinion, Belden Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Belden Inc. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, of Belden Inc. and our report dated February 23, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

St. Louis, Missouri

February 23, 2015

 

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information regarding directors is incorporated herein by reference to “Item I—Election of Nine Directors,” as described in the Proxy Statement. Information regarding executive officers is set forth in Part I herein under the heading “Executive Officers.” The additional information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to “Corporate Governance” (opening paragraph and table), “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Documents” and “Stockholder Proposals for the 2016 Annual Meeting,” as described in the Proxy Statement.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Incorporated herein by reference to “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Corporate Governance—Related Party Transactions and Compensation Committee Interlocks” and “Corporate Governance—Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight” as described in the Proxy Statement.

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

Incorporated herein by reference to “Equity Compensation Plan Information on December 31, 2014” and “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” as described in the Proxy Statement.

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

Incorporated herein by reference to “Corporate Governance—Related Party Transactions and Compensation Committee Interlocks” and “Corporate Governance” (paragraph following the table) as described in the Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Incorporated herein by reference to “Item II – Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Fees to Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2014 and 2013” and “Item II – Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” as described in the Proxy Statement.

 

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)

Documents filed as part of this Report:

 

  1.

Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Operations for Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements for Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014

Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity Statements for Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

  2.

Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

            Charged to                                 
     Beginning      Costs and      Divestitures/     Charge           Currency     Ending  
     Balance      Expenses      Acquisitions     Offs     Recoveries     Movement     Balance  
     (In thousands)  

Accounts Receivable—

                

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

                

2014

   $ 3,390       $ 1,184       $ 9,845      $ (1,867   $ (889   $ (160   $ 11,503   

2013

     4,163         733         448        (1,391     (520     (43     3,390   

2012

     2,640         2,852         1,203        (1,594     (935     (3     4,163   

Inventories—

                

Excess and Obsolete Allowances:

                

2014

   $ 21,317       $ 7,994       $ 14,167      $ (10,908   $ (1,413   $ 666      $ 31,823   

2013

     23,954         5,632         —          (7,211     (1,009     (49     21,317   

2012

     17,735         5,381         5,597        (3,679     (1,077     (3     23,954   

Deferred Income Tax Asset—

                

Valuation Allowance:

                

2014

   $ 10,165       $ 4,252       $ 143,513      $ —        $ (415   $ (198   $ 157,317   

2013

     7,498         496         3,064        —          (899     6        10,165   

2012

     23,663         3,659         (4,562     (736     (14,160     (366     7,498   

All other financial statement schedules not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are omitted because they are not applicable.

 

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  3.

Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference, as indicated. Documents indicated by an asterisk (*) identify each management contract or compensatory plan.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

The filings referenced for incorporation by reference are Company
(Belden Inc.) filings unless noted to be those of Belden 1993 Inc.

  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation, as amended    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3.1
  3.2    Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended    November 24, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1.; May 22, 2009 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 20, 2010 Form 8-K; March 2, 2011 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 19, 2011 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 31, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; December 4, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 29, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1
  4.1    Rights Agreement    December 11, 1996 Form 8-A, Exhibit 1.1
  4.2    Amendment to Rights Agreement    November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.3    Amendment to Rights Agreement    December 8, 2006 Form 8-A/A, Exhibit 4.2(a)
  4.4    Indenture relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    June 29, 2009 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.5    Notation of Guarantee relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    June 29, 2009 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.2
  4.6    Supplemental Indenture relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    August 29, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.3
  4.7    Supplemental Indenture relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    May 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.8    Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    August 29, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.9    Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    May 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2
  4.10    Second Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    November 6, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.11    Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023    March 26, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.12    First Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023    November 6, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2
  4.13    Indenture relating to 5.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024    June 30, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.14    Third Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinates Notes due 2022    November 4, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.15    Second Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinates Notes due 2023    November 4, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2
  4.16    First Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.25% Senior Subordinates Notes due 2024    November 4, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.3
10.1    Trademark License Agreement    November 15, 1993 Form 10-Q of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibit 10.2
10.2*    CDT 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, as amended    April 6, 2009 Proxy Statement, Appendix I
10.3*    Belden Inc. 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended    April 6, 2011 Proxy Statement, Appendix I; February 29, 2012 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.9
10.4*    Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16; February 27, 2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16; May 6, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1

 

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Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

The filings referenced for incorporation by reference are Company
(Belden Inc.) filings unless noted to be those of Belden 1993 Inc.

10.5*    Form of Performance Stock Units Award    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.17; February 27, 2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.17; May 6, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.2
10.6*    Form of Restricted Stock Units Award    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.18; February 27, 2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.18; May 6, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.3
10.7*    Belden Inc. Annual Cash Incentive Plan, as amended and restated    February 29, 2012 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16
10.8*    2004 Belden CDT Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan    December 21, 2004 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.9*    Belden Wire & Cable Company (BWC) Supplemental Excess Defined Benefit Plan, with First, Second and Third Amendments    March 22, 2002 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibits 10.14 and 10.15; March 14, 2003 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibit 10.21; November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.50
10.10*    BWC Supplemental Excess Defined Contribution Plan, with First, Second and Third Amendments    March 22, 2002 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibits 10.16 and 10.17; March 14, 2003 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibit 10.24; November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.51
10.11*    Trust Agreement, with First Amendment    November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibits 10.52 and 10.53
10.12*    Trust Agreement, with First Amendment    November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibits 10.54 and 10.55
10.13*    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with John Stroup, with First Amendment    April 7, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1, December 17, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.14*    Executive Employment Agreement with Steven Biegacki    May 8, 2008 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.15*    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with Kevin L. Bloomfield    December 22, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.2
10.16*    Executive Employment Agreement with Christoph Gusenleitner    August 11, 2010 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.17*    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with Henk Derksen    January 5, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.18*    Executive Employment Agreement with Glenn Pennycook    August 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.19*    Executive Employment Agreement with Dhrupad Trivedi    August 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.2
10.20*    Executive Employment Agreement with Doug Zink    November 6, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.21*    Executive Employment Agreement with Ross Rosenberg    August 5, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.22*    Executive Employment Agreement with Roel Vestjens    August 5, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.2
10.23*    Form of Indemnification Agreement with each of the Directors and Steven Biegacki, Kevin Bloomfield, Henk Derksen, Christoph Gusenleitner, Glenn Pennycook, Ross Rosenberg, John Stroup, Dhrupad Trivedi, Roel Vestjens, and Doug Zink    March 1, 2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.39

 

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Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

The filings referenced for incorporation by reference are Company
(Belden Inc.) filings unless noted to be those of Belden 1993 Inc.

10.24    ABL Credit Agreement    October 9, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.25    Term Loan Credit Agreement    October 9, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.2
10.26    Purchase Agreement by and among Belden Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC    June 30, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.27    Purchase Agreement by and among Belden Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank AG    November 25, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.28    Agreement and Plan of Merge by and among VIA Holdings I, Inc., Belden Inc., Tahoe MergerSub, Inc. and Thoma Bravo, LLC, as Representative of the Stockholders and Optionholders    December 12, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 2.1
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges    Filed herewith
14.1    Code of Ethics    May 31, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 14.1
21.1    List of Subsidiaries of Belden Inc.    Filed herewith
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP    Filed herewith
24.1    Powers of Attorney from Members of the Board of Directors    Filed herewith
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer    Filed herewith
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer    Filed herewith
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer    Filed herewith
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer    Filed herewith

 

Exhibit 101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

Exhibit 101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

Exhibit 101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

Exhibit 101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label

Exhibit 101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

*

Management contract or compensatory plan

Copies of the above Exhibits are available to shareholders at a charge of $0.25 per page, minimum order of $10.00. Direct requests to:

Belden Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary

1 North Brentwood Boulevard, 15th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

BELDEN INC.

By

/s/ JOHN S. STROUP

John S. Stroup

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Date: February 23, 2015

Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

/s/ JOHN S. STROUP

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

February 23, 2015

John S. Stroup

/s/ HENK DERKSEN

Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer

February 23, 2015

Henk Derksen

/s/ DOUGLAS R. ZINK

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

February 23, 2015

Douglas R. Zink

/s/ BRYAN C. CRESSEY*

Chairman of the Board and Director

February 23, 2015

Bryan C. Cressey

/s/ DAVID ALDRICH*

Director

February 23, 2015

David Aldrich

/s/ LANCE C. BALK*

Director

February 23, 2015

Lance C. Balk

/s/ STEVEN BERGLUND*

Director

February 23, 2015

Steven Berglund

/s/ JUDY L. BROWN*

Director

February 23, 2015

Judy L. Brown

/s/ GLENN KALNASY*

Director

February 23, 2015

Glenn Kalnasy

/s/ GEORGE MINNICH*

Director

February 23, 2015

George Minnich

/s/ JOHN MONTER*

Director

February 23, 2015

John Monter

/s/ JOHN S. STROUP

*By John S. Stroup, Attorney-in-fact

 

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Index to Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference, as indicated. Documents indicated by an asterisk (*) identify each management contract or compensatory plan.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

The filings referenced for incorporation by

reference are Company (Belden Inc.) filings unless

noted to be those of Belden 1993 Inc.

  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation, as amended    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3.1
  3.2    Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended    November 24, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1.; May 22, 2009 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 20, 2010 Form 8-K; March 2, 2011 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 19, 2011 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 31, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; December 4, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1; May 29, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1
  4.1    Rights Agreement    December 11, 1996 Form 8-A, Exhibit 1.1
  4.2    Amendment to Rights Agreement    November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.3    Amendment to Rights Agreement    December 8, 2006 Form 8-A/A, Exhibit 4.2(a)
  4.4    Indenture relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    June 29, 2009 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.5    Notation of Guarantee relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    June 29, 2009 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.2
  4.6    Supplemental Indenture relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    August 29, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.3
  4.7    Supplemental Indenture relating to 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019    May 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.8    Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    August 29, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.9    Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    May 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2
  4.10    Second Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    November 6, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.11    Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023    March 26, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.12    First Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023    November 6, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2
  4.13    Indenture relating to 5.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024    June 30, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1
  4.14    Third Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022    November 4, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1
  4.15    Second Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023    November 4, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2
  4.16    First Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024    November 4, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.3
10.1    Trademark License Agreement    November 15, 1993 Form 10-Q of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibit 10.2
10.2*    CDT 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, as amended    April 6, 2009 Proxy Statement, Appendix I

 

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Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

The filings referenced for incorporation by

reference are Company (Belden Inc.) filings unless

noted to be those of Belden 1993 Inc.

10.3*    Belden Inc. 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended    April 6, 2011 Proxy Statement, Appendix I; February 29, 2012 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.9
10.4*    Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16; February 27, 2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16; May 6, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.5*    Form of Performance Stock Units Award    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.17; February 27, 2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.17; may 6, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.2
10.6*    Form of Restricted Stock Units Award    February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.18; February 27, 2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.18; May 6, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.3
10.7*    Belden Inc. Annual Cash Incentive Plan, as amended and restated    February 29, 2012 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16
10.8*    2004 Belden CDT Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan    December 21, 2004 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.9*    Belden Wire & Cable Company (BWC) Supplemental Excess Defined Benefit Plan, with First, Second and Third Amendments    March 22, 2002 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibits 10.14 and 10.15; March 14, 2003 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibit 10.21; November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.50
10.10*    BWC Supplemental Excess Defined Contribution Plan, with First, Second and Third Amendments    March 22, 2002 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibits 10.16 and 10.17; March 14, 2003 Form 10-K of Belden 1993 Inc., Exhibit 10.24; November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.51
10.11*    Trust Agreement, with First Amendment    November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibits 10.52 and 10.53
10.12*    Trust Agreement, with First Amendment    November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibits 10.54 and 10.55
10.13*    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with John Stroup, with First Amendment    April 7, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1, December 17, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.14*    Executive Employment Agreement with Steven Biegacki    May 8, 2008 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.15*    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with Kevin L. Bloomfield    December 22, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.2
10.16*    Executive Employment Agreement with Christoph Gusenleitner    August 11, 2010 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.17*    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with Henk Derksen    January 5, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.18*    Executive Employment Agreement with Glenn Pennycook    August 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.19*    Executive Employment Agreement with Dhrupad Trivedi    August 8, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.2
10.20*    Executive Employment Agreement with Doug Zink    November 6, 2013 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.21    Executive Employment Agreement with Ross Rosenberg    August 5, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.1
10.22    Executive Employment Agreement with Roel Vestjens    August 5, 2014 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10.2
10.23*    Form of Indemnification Agreement with each of the Directors and Steven Biegacki, Kevin Bloomfield, Henk Derksen, Christoph Gusenleitner, Glenn Pennycook, Ross Rosenberg, John Stroup, Dhrupad Trivedi, Roel Vestjens, and Doug Zink    March 1, 2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.39

 

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Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

The filings referenced for incorporation by

reference are Company (Belden Inc.) filings unless

noted to be those of Belden 1993 Inc.

10.24    ABL Credit Agreement    October 9, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.25    Term Loan Credit Agreement    October 9, 2013 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.2
10.26    Purchase Agreement by and among Belden Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC    June 30, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.27    Purchase Agreement by and among Belden Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank AG    November 25, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1
10.28    Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among VIA Holdings I, Inc., Belden Inc., Tahoe MergerSub, Inc. and Thoma Bravo, LLC, as Representative of the Stockholders and Optionholders    December 12, 2014 Form 8-K, Exhibit 2.1
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges    Filed herewith
14.1    Code of Ethics    May 31, 2012 Form 8-K, Exhibit 14.1
21.1    List of Subsidiaries of Belden Inc.    Filed herewith
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP    Filed herewith
24.1    Powers of Attorney from Members of the Board of Directors    Filed herewith
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer    Filed herewith
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer    Filed herewith
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer    Filed herewith
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer    Filed herewith

 

Exhibit 101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
Exhibit 101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
Exhibit 101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
Exhibit 101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
Exhibit 101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label
Exhibit 101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

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